Church of the Holy Sacrifice

Church of the Holy Sacrifice (Exterior)

I don’t know how true the story is, but I’ve heard that the Church of the Holy Sacrifice (located at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman) is the first project of Leandro V. Locsin to be built during his career. Locsin was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture in 1990 by President Corazon C. Aquino.

On January 12, 2005, the chuch was considered as a National Historical Landmark and a Cultural Treasure by the National Historical Institute and the National Museum respectively.

Everything about it is remarkable… the dome, the absence of any kind of structural support inside the structure, the simplistic design, the 1,000-person seating capacity. But what I find most remarkable is the fact that this church is a product of the collaborative efforts and extraordinary talents of five National Artists. And what a glorious product it is!

Historical Marker at the Church of the Holy Sacrifice

The structure (as I’ve already mentioned) was designed by Leandro V. Locsin…

Church of the Holy Sacrifice (designed by Leandro V. Locsin)

the murals of the Stations of the Cross were painted by Vicente S. Manansala and Ang Kiukok…

One of the murals of the Stations of the Cross inside the church (by Vicente Manansala and Ang Kiukok)

the double-sided crucifix and altar base was sculpted/carved by Napoleon Abueva…

The Crucifix by Napoleon Abueva hanging beneath the skylight at the center of the church

and the floor (entitled “The River of Life”) was designed by Arturo Luz.

The River of Life by Arturo Luz

It is as much a shrine of the arts as it is one of the religious and the holy.