sto. niño

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu

All texts sourced from the booklet: The Santo Niño Church and Monastery, An Augustinian Legacy to the Filipino People.

A Brief History

-Formerly called San Agustin Church and Monastery (Note: There is another San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila), this church was elevated to the rank of Minor Basilica during the 4th Centennial Celebrations of the Christianization of the Philippines held in Cebu City.

-Three churches have been built before the present one. The first church, by Fr. Diego de Herrera, was made of Nipa and Wood and was burnt down in 1566. The next church, also of light materials, was constructed by Fr. Pedro Torres and also got burnt in 1628. The third church, made of bricks and stones was started by Fr. Juan de Medina. It fell down on 1629.

-On February 29, 1735, Fr. Juan de Albarran started the construction of what would be the present church; hewn stone from Mactan was used. The molave materials were brought from Talisay. The church was finished in 1739.

- The Santo Niño church has all the characteristics of a solid construction that can withstand earthquakes. Fr. Albarran admitted that, during the planning and construction of the church, he had in mind the three principles of sound architecture: utility, durability, beauty.

The Convent

- The present convent was finished around the year 1740. The first floor houses the offices of the Church organizations and the adjacent school; formerly, it also contained the caballeriza. The second floor serves as the living quarters of the Augustinian Community. The finely-carved wooden stairway that leads to the second floor is greatly admired for its artistic value and antiquity; lion carvings adorn its main posts. A huge oil painting that dates back to an anonymous painter of 1868, depicting the saints, martyrs and heroes of the Augustinian Order, presides over the community receiving room.

- The convent has never undergone major renovations. In 1965, on the occasion of the celebration of the Fourth Centennial of the Christianization of the Philippines, it underwent massive repairs, but it was more for the improvement of the facilities of the Augustinian Community.

Architecture of the Church and Monastery

The facade of the church is a blending of Muslim, Romanesque, and Neo-Classical features (Churiguerra style?). It follows the classical pattern and is divided into two levels. Shallow pillasters divide each story into three segments decorated with stone bas-reliefs representing Augustinian saints. The bell tower serves as counterbalance to the opposite end. A triangular pediment crowns the solid, but not massive, facade.

Focus of attention is on the center section. The trefoil arched main entrance is balanced by the side rectangular satued niches. The vertical composition is echoed by the small design on the second level above the cornice, the trefoil arch, the pediment and the side scroll-like ornament, a facade within a facade. A double-edged triangular pediment crowns the facade. Preserved in its pristine stone texture, the facade conveys an air of elegance and simplicity of lines.

Pilgrim Center

- The Pilgrim Center was built in 1995 at the plaza across the Basilica since the church could no longer accomodate the throves of devotees and visitors (an average of almost a thousand per day on normal days) coming from the different parts of the country and even abroad.
- Most masses (weekdays, sundays, and special days) are already held at the Pilgrim Center.

Facade of the Basilica

- Focus of attention is on the center section. The trefoil arched main entrance is balanced by the side rectangular satued niches. The vertical composition is echoed by the small design on the second level above the cornice, the trefoil arch, the pediment and the side scroll-like ornament, a facade within a facade. A double-edged triangular pediment crowns the facade.

Interiors

All texts sourced from the booklet: The Santo Niño Church and Monastery, An Augustinian Legacy to the Filipino People

-In 1773, the interior of the church was painted. The church itself was retouched and reinforced in 1782. In 1886, Fr. Fernando Magaz added two side altars. From 1880 to 1890 fr. Mateo Diaz installed glass windows with iron rails, painted the interior, added four new altars and refurbished the floor with marble at the cost of six thousand pesos. Fr. Valerio Rodrigo brought the chandeliers in the early 20th century. Aside from these embellishments, the church has remained in its original form.

On the occasion of the Fourth Centennial Celebration of the evangelization of the Philippines, renovation was carried out with utmost respect to the old historical structure of the church.

Finely carved stairway leading to the upper cloisters of the Monastery. The stairway's main posts are topped with Chinese Fu-Dogs. The stairway is greatly admired for its antiquity and artistic value.