Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral

by lakwatserong tatay

In every town, cities and provinces i've been with. There's a place that i would not ever missed out to visit. Its the Church, being a catholic and a God follower, i always make a time to visit and stay for a meanwhile to get blessing of our trip, asking and seeking guidance and safety on each of our activity. Aside from that i really love also to take some photos of the church itself and share it to you together with few historical backgrounds of the church we've visited. Here it is.....^_^

St. Michael's Cathedral

St. Michael's Cathedral is named after Iligan's patron saint St. Michael the Archangel, located in the downtown center of Iligan. The principal church of Iligan's Catholic archdiocese. A silent sanctuary of quiet prayer in the busy sidewalks and streets. A venerable edifice of early days of the city, witness of many changes, scenes and other solemn ceremonies.

Iligan's Patron Saint "St. Michael the Archangel"

Saint Michael, the archangel, was "the Angel of the Lord". One the three angels mentioned by name in the Scriptures, the others being Saint Raphael and Saint Gabriel. The name Michael, signifies "Who is like to God" and was the war cry of the Good Angels. Saint Michael is usually depicted with a sword. This sword is double edged: truth and justice. As the Archangel of battle and defender of Heaven. A said to be Patron Saint of Policemen. 

According to source: 

Iligan became a parish separate from Cagayan de Misamis in 1834. According to some accounts, the church original location was somewhere near the river but because great floods of the period (1840's) washed away many of the structures in the vicinity, it was finally transferred to a higher grounds and found its permanent place in (Quezon Avenue) Poblacion.

Iligan's Church in 1950 (source)

This was the fourth church erected in 1950. This edifice faced northward and was bounded on the west by the present Quezon Avenue. Its rear end should be touching portion of the BDO (Quezon Branch).

Construction of St. Michael Cathedral Main Altar (1956) (source)

St. Michael's Cathedral in 1960 (source)

The cathedral had undergo to several major renovations and changes since them. They acquired a tower and a graceful steeple with cross on top and on the other side, the tallest figure of Saint Michael. Added to that its beatifully crafted smoked glass of Saint Michael visible outside, and the life and death and resurrection of Christ inside.

Inside St. Michael's Cathedral

Though its interior has been renovated and modified several times, few of its remains original construction and style is still visible in tribute to its builders and generosity of its supporters.

Church's altar

Church's Confession Rooms

As i roamed around, here are some my shots...inside and outside of this cathedral.

Church's Holy Water Bowl

Church's Belfry

The church offers spiritual guidance, religious services to its community. It also provides a space to everyone who wishes to pray, meditate or seek a quiet refuge.

Church Administration Office

After roaming around Iligan City proper, stayed for few minutes at St. Michael Cathedral and having lunch within the streets of Iligan. We're off to chase some waterfalls of Lanao Del Norte, Buru-un, Iligan and be drop off on way to one of the majestic falls known as Maria Cristina Falls, visit its Nature Park and Powerplant and search for one of the hidden treasure known as Tinago Falls.

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.

Tours & Activities:

Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:

Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls