Oldest Churches of Davao Region

ST. PETER CATHEDRAL

YEAR: 1847
BUILT BY:

AUGUSTINIANS
HISTORY: An earlier church was built in the same area of the current cathedral in 1847.
Said to have been built in Neo-Gothic style, the earlier church was built on the spot founded
by the Augustinian. In the 1960s, due to its small size, the Diocese of Davao solicited funds
to enlarge the church. Architect Manuel Chiew was responsible for the design of the new
church. the design of the new church was that of an ark hence the pointed front where the
cross stands. A separate Bell tower was also constructed. The cathedral has been a witness to
two bombing incidents. The first incident in 1981 which killed 17 people, and in 1993 with 7
deaths.
The interior ceiling design seems to direct the eye to the arched backdrop at the chancel that
holds the gilded altar. Here’s a trivia about the cathedral. By some miracle, the cathedral
honoring the patron saint of the city was spared from devastation during the great fire
decades ago.

STA. ANA CHURCH

YEAR: 1949
BUILT BY: F.M.S. OF QUEBEC
HISTORY: Santa Ana Parish was
detached from San Pedro Parish and
canonically erected on July 26, 1949.
The plan to put up another parish in
Davao City was conceived due to the
increasing population of Catholics
which San Pedro Parish could not alone
contain. The territory limited on the
south by a line beginning at the sea through Juan Luna Street, thence thru Emilio Jacinto
Street until the Davao River; on the west by the Davao River until the barrio Callawa; on the
north by the line of the City limits; on the east by the sea. Thus, on August 18, 1948 the
Foreign Missions Society of Quebec in the Philippines acquired a property covered with

CCSS1/SSM2: Philippine Geography – Region XI

Oldest Churches of Davao Region

coconut trees and tropical growth of 33,551 square meters for seven thousand pesos only
then started the construction.

On April 16, 1949, the church (semi-Gothic style) was consecrated by His Excellency Bishop
Luis del Rosario (Zamboanga Diocese) even though it was not completely finished. The
walls were of cement blocks. The windows (also Gothic style) were made of tiny pieces of
glass, the colors of which mixed together harmoniously. The altar, in terazza, was a little
jewel. The Last Supper Scene sculpted “in relief” constituted the main beauty of the altar.
The statue of St. Anne was placed above the main altar.

SAN SALVADOR DEL MUNDO

YEAR: 1861
BUILT BY: AUGUSTINIAN
The town was established in 1861
making it one of the oldest towns in
the province of Davao Oriental.
When the Jesuits took charge of the
spiritual administration of the town
in 1871 from the Augustinian
Recollects, a stone and wooden
church was built in 1877 to serve as
mission station of Spanish
Missionaries in propagating Christianity in the eastern side of Mindanao. When it was
completed in 1884, the church was dedicated to San Salvador del Mundo (Christ, the Saviour
of the World).
The inscription on the main door of the San Salvador del Mundo church in Caraga, Davao
Oriental bears a Christ symbol and dates the structure back to 1884. The current church is
made from stone rubble and stands on a high limestone promontory that provides a
spectacular view of the sea. The church has been recently renovated in time for its centennial.
While its exposed narra hardwood posts can still be seen, its old retablos and roofing have
been replaced by modern materials. It was sad that we were not allowed to enter the church
as the parish priest was not there. We would have wanted to say a prayer for our safe journey
to and from Davao Oriental. Even so, it was still worth seeing the oldest Catholic structure
and get close to a piece of history

CCSS1/SSM2: Philippine Geography – Region XI