San Sebastian Church is located in Quiapo, one of Manila's older
districts. Surrounding it are rows of old houses. The Church of San
Sebastian is made of a steel frame and panels and is known for its
distinct characteristic, that of being the only neo gothic steel church
in The Philippines and in Asia.
The steel parts were
manufactured in the Societe Anonyme's foundry in Binche, Belgium and
were shipped to Manila. On June 12, 1888, the first shipment of steel
parts were brought to the Philippines. For two years, the church was
assembled with local artists and craftsmen joining the Belgian firm in
applying the final finishing touches on this new church of steel. The
stained glass windows were imported from the Henri Oidtmann Company, a
German stained glass firm.
On June 24, 1890, the Church of San
Sebastian was raised into the status of a minor basilica. The following
year, on August 15, 1891, the all steel church of San Sebastian was
inaugurated and blessed. The interior of the church display groined
vaults. Styled along neo Gothic lines, the steel parts of columns,
walls and ceiling were painted to resemble marble and jasper by
Filipino artist Lorenzo Rocha and his students. True to the Gothic
revival spirit of the church are its confessionals, pulpit and altars
as designed by Filipino artist Lorenzo Guerrero. He with fellow artist
Eulogio Garcia carved the statues of holy men and women. Trompe l 'oeil
paintings was used to decorate the interiors of the church.
The
Church of San Sebastian is a reflection of the late 19th century
innovations in architecture, art and construction. In addition, the
church was listed among the 1998 World's Most Endangered Sites by the
World Monuments Watch.
There is no other example of a
prefabricated all-steel church in the Philippines and in Asia. It is
the only known all steel basilica in this part of the world.
