Tayabas Basilica

Catholic presence of Tayabas was established in 1578 by Franciscan priests Juán Portocarrero de Plasencia and Diego de Oropesa de San José, known as the "Apostles of Laguna and Tayabas".[4] In 1580, the town of Tayabas was established as a parish with Michael the Archangel as its patron saint.[5] Like most churches in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era, the first church was a camarin-type structure of bamboo, nipa and anahaw built between 1580 and 1585 under the Franciscan friars.[5][6]

The church was repaired under the supervision of Saint Pedro Bautista in 1590.[1] In the same year, the Catholic Church obtained permission from the Superior government to build the church using stone. Upon the order of Saint Pedro Bautista, leader of the Franciscans, the church was rebuilt in 1600 using bricks; this building was later destroyed by earthquake in 1743 earthquake, leaving only the walls standing.[7] Due to the growing number of Catholics in Tayabas, the church was again rebuilt and extended.[7] It was further expanded under the term of Benito de la Pila between 1856 and 1866 with the addition of the transept in the shape of a rotunda and cupola.[1][5][7] The brick tile roof was replaced with galvanized iron sheets in 1894.[7]

Manuel Gonzáles bought the administration building (casa administración) used by the provincial head of the Franciscans for 962 pesos in 1855. He donated it to the town to be used as classrooms to replace the old, ruined rooms. Gonzáles ordered the school's construction in 1878, using stone, lime and tiled roofing. Together with Samuel Mena, Gonzáles restored the old Tribunal built by Governor La O, which had been unused since it had burnt down in 1877.[5] From 1896 to 1899, Isabelo Martínez was the first native Filipino priest assigned to Tayabas Basilica, followed by Amando Alandy, a native of the town, from 1899 to 1900.[8]

The church's patio played a significant role during the struggle of the Filipino revolutionaries against Spain. General Vicente Lukban and his troops surrendered to the Spanish army on the patio on August 13, 1898, while the Philippine flag was waved from the church's belfry.[2] During the Second World War, the church's convento was used as a garrison by the occupying Japanese Imperial Army.[9]

The church was rededicated on March 14, 1987, by Rubén T. Profugo, Bishop of Lucena.[7] On October 18, 1988, the church was raised to the rank of Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II through the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments,[8] and was proclaimed during Mass on January 21, 1989.[1]

Tayabas Basilica is considered to be one of the most beautiful churches in the Philippines.[1] Through Presidential Decree No. 374, the National Museum of the Philippines declared Tayabas Basilica as a National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001, along with 25 other churches nationwide.[8]

The church at Tayabas is generally considered to be Baroque architecture. It is included in a list of more than 30 churches declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines.

Aisle

Views of the Tayabas Basilica nave

View from the basilica's entrance

View from the altar

The church's 103 m (338 ft) aisle is the longest of any church built during the Spanish colonial era.[1][2] It was built between 1855 and 1860.[12]

Church clock

Church clock

The basilica's 18th-century clock was erected in early 1900 on the belfry; it is one of the oldest and largest church clocks in Asia.[2][15] The clock is 0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall and has a circumference of 42 cm (1.38 ft). The hour and minute hands are 0.5 m (1.6 ft) and 62 cm (2.03 ft) long respectively. Running the clock are two weights connected by steel cable to the hour hand with a weight of 70 kg (150 lb) and 140 kg (310 lb) for the whole clock. The clock chimes once on the hour and half-hour.[2] It was refurbished in 1971 during the term of Monsignor Gregorio Salvatus.[15]

Ermita

Outbuildings of Tayabas Basilica

Ermita Church

Tayabas Cemetery Mortuary Chapel

Tayabas Basilica has two ermita chapels dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Angustias and to San Diego de Alcala.[5]

In 2000, the church underwent major renovations and restorations for the sixth time.[1] The altar was moved from the northern apse to the crossing of the apse below the dome.[16] The church's pulpit and the basilica's monastery were also restored.[16] Fund-raising activities to pay for the restoration of the basilica in preparation for the church's 25th anniversary as a minor basilica in 2014 were done since June 2009.[16]

In 2011, an estimated gross area of 1,798.43 m² (19,358.1 sq ft) on the church's roof and roof framework was repaired and restored with the help of the National Museum.[17] In 2011 the lighting of the façade was converted to solar energy using photovoltaic power panels and other devices.[18] It is the first old church in the Philippines to use solar energy in its façade.[18]

Tayabas Basilica is in the jurisdiction of the Vicariate of St. James of the Diocese of Lucena. Reverend Monsignor Dennis Imperial, PC, serves as parish priest with Father Roy Macatangay and Father Reymart Karl P. Estrada as parochial vicars.

Tayabas town is also known for its religious activities, the most important of which is the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, the town's patron saint who is celebrated annually on September 29. The town also celebrates the Viernes Dolores de Turumba in honor of the Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba, who is celebrated with dance, chanting and a procession. On Holy Week, a stage play depicting the passion and death of Jesus Christ can be viewed on the church patio. The play including the procession of poon – wooden statues.[8]

• The music video of Donna Cruz's Jubilee Song was filmed in the interior of the basilica.

• Media related to Tayabas Basilica at Wikimedia Commons