Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, also called Roxas Cathedral, is the ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Capiz located in Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The Spaniards sailing from Cebu landed in Panay in 1569 and made it the capital. However, the capital was transferred to Capiz, the old name of Roxas City, because it was a suitable location for harbor for the Castilian ships. It later became a naval yard in 1590.
The Augustinians founded the church as a visita of Panay in 1693. When it became a parish in 1707, it was a matriz and counted the churches in Loctugan Church and Ivisan as visita. The town was made into the seat of politico-military government in 1746.
An early church that was built by the missionaries was made of humble construction materials such as wood and bamboo, and it was destroyed in a storm that occurred on January 4, 1698. It was replaced by a more permanent house of worship made of stone that was constructed between 1728 and 1732, but it was damaged during an earthquake in 1787.
The present-day stone church was built under the supervision of Fr. Apolinar Alvarez, OSA between 1870 and 1877, and it underwent renovations in subsequent years well into 1890 during the term of Fr. Lesmes Perez, O.S.A.
In 1898, it was handed over to the diocesan clergy under the Diocese of Cebu and of Jaro, Iloilo (1951). On January 27, 1951, the Diocese of Capiz was created by virtue of the Papal Bull entitled “Ex supremi apostulatus.” Then on May 29, 1951, Papal Nuncio Msgr. Aegidius Vagnozzi issued the executory decree. The canonical erection of the Diocese, with Msgr. Manuel Yap as its first bishop, was July 11, 1951. It included Romblon and Kalibo, Aklan until they seceded in 1974 and 1976, respectively, and they became suffragans when Capiz became an archdiocese on January 17, 1976.
On May 12, 1951, Capiz was renamed Roxas City after President Manuel Roxas by virtue of Republic Act No. 603. However, the name of the diocese was retained and the cathedral underwent rebuilding in 1954, becoming known as Roxas Cathedral.
The image of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception was episcopally crowned on December 8, 2023.
Architecture
The entrance is framed by fluted pilasters with lunette, and above the doorway bears the inscription, “Reconstruida el año 1954” (Rebuilt in 1954). It is flanked by pilasters and arch niches. High up on the wall is a blind arch enclosing another detail, the year of 1876, and flanked by the Marian symbol done in low relief.
The upper register of the wall contains pilasters on plinths with cartouches, blind arch windows, and walls pierced with rectilinear windows with images of holy figures and decorated by corbels, volutes, and foliage.
Dentil and triglyphs adorn the cornice that transitions to the curvilinear pediment, which contains an arch window, volutes, and two inscriptions: “Año de 1877” (Year 1877) and “Admjaorem Dei Gloriam” (For the Greater Glory of God). The octagonal bell tower is erected in the gospel side.
Celebration
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is December 8.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City, Capiz from June 30, 2025 to July 6, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Roxas City.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 12:15-1:15 PM (English)
- 5:30-6:30 PM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (English - Facebook Live)
- 4:00-5:00 PM (Hiligaynon - Anticipated Mass)
- 6:00-7:00 PM (English - Anticipated Mass - Facebook Live)
Sunday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Hiligaynon)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (Hiligaynon - Facebook Live)
- 10:00-11:00 AM (English)
- 3:00-4:00 PM (Hiligaynon)
- 5:00-6:00 PM (English - Facebook Live)
- 7:00-8:00 PM (English)
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City, Capiz |
| Address | Arzobispo St., Roxas City, Capiz 5800 |
| Country | Philippines |
| immaculateconcepcion1@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1693 |
| Age | 332 years |
| Status | Cathedral, Parish |
| Declared as archdiocese | January 17, 1976 |
| Declared as cathedral | January 27, 1951 |
| Declared as parish | 1707 |
| Age as parish | 318 years |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Capiz |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of the Immaculate Conception |
| Patron | Our Lady of Immaculate Conception |
| Feast day | December 8 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1877 |
| Age since completed | 148 years |
| Builder | Fr. Apolinar Alvarez, Fr. Lesmes Perez |
| Tower | 1 |
Nearby Churches
- Divine Mercy Mission Station in Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz
- Hesus Nazareno Mission Station in Baybay, Roxas City, Capiz
- Mary Mother of Mercy Mission Station in Malocloc Norte, Ivisan, Capiz
- Our Lady Of Guadalupe Mission Station in Lawaan, Roxas City, Capiz
- Our Lady of Holy Rosary Mission Station in Bolo, Roxas City, Capiz
- Santa Rosa de Lima Mission Station in Lonoy, Roxas City, Capiz
- Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Church in Roxas City, Capiz
- St. Andrew the Apostle Mission Station in Agustin Navarra, Ivisan, Capiz
- St. John Paul II Church in Banica, Roxas City, Capiz
- St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church in Ivisan, Capiz
- St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina Church in Gabu-an, Roxas City, Capiz
- St. Peter the Apostle Mission Station in Barra, Roxas City, Capiz
- St. Therese of Avila Church in Loctugan, Roxas City, Capiz
- St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Cagay, Roxas City, Capiz
- Stella Maris Mission Station in Olotayan, Roxas City, Capiz
- Sto. Niño Quasi Parish Church in Balijuagan, Roxas City, Capiz
References
- Archdiocese of Capiz. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral. Jubileo de la Misericordia. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- Roxas City. City Government of Roxas. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- A brief history. City Government of Roxas. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- REPUBLIC ACT NO. 603, April 11, 1951. Legislative Digital Resources. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- Capiz Tourism and Cultural Affairs. May 29, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2024
- A Historical Note on Canonical Erection of the Diocese of Capiz. St. Paul Mission Station in Marita, President Roxas, Capiz. Retrieved March 9, 2024