San Diego Pro-Cathedral, also known as Silay Church or St. Didacus Church, is 20th-century Romanesque church located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Its titular is San Diego de Alcala, a Franciscan saint who also goes by the name of St. Didacus.
Table of Contents
History
The church was a visita of Bago. The original settlement was located in what presently is the coastal village of Guinhalaran. Its transfer to what is now Estaca was necessitated by the constant pirate attacks coming from the sea.
The settlement, which was given the name Silay, experienced a population boom in the many years that followed. The church was founded in 1776.
When Alejo Severino was appointed by the colonial government to become its gobernadorcillo, a church was constructed in 1780s. It was a humble house of worship made of bamboo and nipa.
In historical record, its first priest was Fray Alejo Ignacio de Molinas.
The stone church was built beginning in 1841, but it was left incomplete because of the Philippine Revolution. Its ruins existed within the property of the church that has since been converted to a prayer room.
A new church was constructed by the effort of Jose R. Ledesma Sr. in 1925. He put up most of the money for the construction, and the parishioners also gave donations. His son, Freddie Ledesma, did the paintings adorning the dome.
The design of the church was based on the submission by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi. It was completed and consecrated in 1927. Further improvements were made in succeeding years, including the installation of a clock in 1938 and a fence.
During the war, its distinctive dome was painted black to spare the church from bombing. In post-war years, a few precious items were taken such as cedillas and nineteen bells (donated by Erneterio Montilebano in 1877). All bells except one were later recovered, the rest have remained missing.
In the following decades, more works were done such as the renovation of the convent, repairs of the roof and pews, painting jobs, installation of glass windows and chandeliers.
On December 25, 1994, Silay Church was declared by Msgr. Camilo Gregorio as a Pro-Cathedral.
Architecture
The church has a cruciform lay-out, and above the crossing a dome rises and is crowned with a cupola. The bell towers flanking the facade culminates in similar motif.
The tower in the gospel side is a belfry, the other clocks are installed in each of the sides. The facade has a grand sweep, and its cornice contains decorative corbels.
The arch entrance has a pair of Corinthian columns. It is recessed in the shape of an arch, and the wall above it is pierced with a beautiful rose window.
Celebration
The feast of St. Didacus is every November 13.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of San Diego Pro-Cathedral in Silay City, Negros Occidental from May 12, 2025 to May 18, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Silay City.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Sunday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
- 6:30-7:30 AM
- 8:00-9:00 AM (Facebook Live)
- 9:30-10:30 AM
- 3:30-4:30 PM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
- 6:30-7:30 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | San Diego Pro-Cathedral in Silay City, Negros Occidental |
| Address | Zamora Street, Silay City, Negros Occidental 6116 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (034) 495 3800 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1776 |
| Age | 249 years |
| Declared as pro-cathedral | December 25, 1994 |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bacolod |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of San Diego |
| Patron | San Diego de Alcala |
| Feast day | November 13 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1927 |
| Age since completed | 98 years |
| Architect | Lucio Bernasconi |
| Builder | Jose R. Ledesma Sr. |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Belfry | 1 |
| Tower | 2 |
Nearby Churches
- Immaculate Conception Church in Talisay City, Negros Occidental
- San Isidro Labrador Quasi-Parish Church in Guimbala-on, Silay City, Negros Occidental
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in Talisay City, Negros Occidental
- San Pedro Bautista Church in Dos Hermanas, Talisay City, Negros Occidental
- Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental
References
- Cathedrals in the Philippines. GCatholic.org. Retrieved September 18, 2023
- The Church of San Diego. City Government of Silay. September 18, 2023
- Feast of San Diego ongoing in Silay. The Visayan Daily Star. November 8, 2003. Retrieved September 18, 2023
- Pacete: San Diego, Patron Saint of Silay. Sunstar. November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2023