16/03/2020
Imus Cathedral (Our Lady of the Pillar Parish) Imus City, Cavite, Philipines
“The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, commonly known as the Imus Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral church in the city of Imus, in the province of Cavite, Philippines. “
“Imus Catheral is the seat of the bishop of Diocese of Imus. It is also one of the oldest Spanish Colonial churches of the province.”
The present church is made of stone and bricks and was built under Fr. Nicolas Becerra, OAR, who served from 1821 to 1840. The church was administered by Secular priests in 1897. On November 25, 1961, the birth of the Diocese of Imus, the church was declared a Cathedral and the Seat of the Diocese of Imus. It became the Mother Church of the Province of Cavite, with Nuestra Señora del Pilar as the Titular Patroness Saint of the Diocese of Imus, and of the whole Province of Cavite.
Also as the Catheral of Our Lady of Pilar, Imus Catheral started out as a small chapel of ease in Barangay Toclong in cavite Viejo (now Kawit). It was under the supervision of the Augustinian Recollects who, in 1774, would petition the Spanish government to convert Imus into an independent municipality. However, it was only in 1795 that Imus was finally separated from Cavite Viejo. With this, a provisional church was established in an area known as Barangay Bayan Luma.
Enshrined inside the cathedral is the original, miraculous and canonically crowned image of Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Imus (Our Lady of the Pillar).
On November 13, 2006, the cathedral was declared a structure of historical significance with the placing of a historical marker by then National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines.
The present Bishop of Imus is the Most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, D.D., S.T.D., with Rev. Fr. Allan Valero as the present parish priest.
It is an exponent of old Hispanic Architecture and exudes an ambiance conducive to monastic life and spiritual meditation. The colors may have darkened with time; nevertheless one would not fail to notice the red colored bricks that make up the arches and walls of the place. Latin inscription accentuate the arches of the church.
The city fiesta is celebrated annually every October 12. Part of the celebration is the traditional dance-procession called “Karakol.”