“This is the second of three parts featuring old photos of the Cebu Cathedral…”

Above: An early 1900s photo of the interiors of the cathedral showing the 19th century main altar retablo.

The cathedral of Cebu underwent a lot of changes even during the Spanish colonial times. In the 1930s, the cathedral underwent a major renovation in preparation for the elevation of the then diocese of Cebu into an archdiocese with Gabriel Reyes as the first archbishop. The facade of the cathedral was expanded towards the belfry thus making it look bigger.

Inside, the 19th century retablo was torn down and replaced with a simple altar made of Carrara marble from Italy. Above it were three stained glass windows featuring Jesus Christ at the middle and the archangels Michael and Gabriel on each side side. The chair of the archbishop was then located near the main altar.

Below: The main altar of the cathedral during the jubilee celebrations for Archbishop Gabriel Reyes.

During the USAFFE bombings of World War II, the cathedral was heavily damaged and only the belfry, the facade and the thick walls remained of it. The cathedral though was quickly rebuilt by Archbishop Reyes. With Reyes being transferred to the archdiocese of Manila, Julio Rosales, who later became a cardinal, took over as the new archbishop.

A lot of projects were undertaken during the reign of Rosales. Among these were the new Arzobispado in D. Jakosalem Street. It was to be the new home of the archbishops of Cebu since the old Spanish-colonial episcopal palace across the cathedral was destroyed by the USAFFE air raids and never rebuilt.

Below: A circa 1970-80s photo of the interiors.

Throughout the years of Cardinal Rosales’ watch, the cathedral underwent new developments one at a time. From having a simple altar set against a very simple reredo, a baldachino was added which also matched with the baldachino over the archbishop’s throne. A new pipe organ was also installed. The exteriors of the cathedral especially at the sides were also improved.

Upon Rosales’ death came Ricardo Vidal, who in turn also became a cardinal later on. The cathedral was expanded on both sides in anticipation of Pope John Paul II’s second visit to the Philippines in the early 1990s (the great pope though was not able to visit Cebu in particular). A new pipe organ was also built by the Diego Cera Organbuilders of Manila to replace the previous one which have been heavily damaged through time.

Below: Improving the exteriors of the cathedral at the sides, circa 1960s.

Below: Another early 1900s photo of the interiors of the cathedral.

Below: Inside the cathedral during the consecration of Juan Gorordo as the first Filipino bishop of Cebu. Notice the balconies.