Malolos Cathedral - Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion
Malolos Cathedral, also known as the Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion (in Spanish) or Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (in English), is the ecclesiastical seat of the Diocese of Malolos in the Philippines. Note: Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or the Manila Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Manila.
The Augustinian missionaries, headed by Fr. Diego Ordonez de Vivar, arrived at barrio Canalate in June 1580. From a small chapel near Canalate River, a bigger church was built which was recognized in the records of the Augustinian chapter of 1580. Due to the frequent submerging of its first location,they moved the church to another location facing Malolos River and created it as the center of the pueblo in 1591 (the present location of the church). Augustinians placed under the mantle of the Immaculate Conception.Malolos Church was initially parish of Encomienda de Malolos made as the town parish in 1580.Initially built from light materials in 1580-1591,later the church and convent were enlarged by Fr. Roque Barrionuevo in 1691. In 1734, the church was built with stronger materials by Fr. Fernando Sanchez. Fr. Juan Meseguer finished this project in 1740 and Fr. Jose de Vivar applied the finishing touches in 1753. However, both the church and the convent were destroyed by fire in 1813. The construction of the present church begun in 1819 with Fr. Melchor Fernandez. This prolific builder was also responsible for the addition of arches to the convent; the fortification of the belfry (to accommodate the installation of a clock); and the construction of the bridge connecting Malolos with Barasoain. However, the buildings were destroyed by a strong earthquake in 1863. Fr. Ezekiel Merino undertook the reconstruction of the collapsed structures which lasted until 1872. Another severe earthquake took place in 1880 which destroyed the convent. Fr. Juan Tombo began the restoration of the convent in 1883. It was completed in 1884 by Fr. Felipe Garcia.
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