University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building

University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building
Central Seminary with the University field
General information
Type	Ecclesiastical and educational building
Architectural style	Art Deco
Location	España, Sampaloc, Manila
Coordinates	14°36′37″N 120°59′21″E / 14.61028°N 120.98917°E / 14.61028; 120.98917
Completed	1933
Owner	University of Santo Tomas
Design and construction
Architect	Fernando Ocampo
Awards and prizes	National Cultural Treasure

The University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building currently houses the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church, the Central Seminary, and the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The Parish was canonically inaugurated on April 26, 1942 by Michael O'Doherty, the Archbishop of Manila during that time. In January 25 2010, the National Museum of the Philippines formally declared the Central Seminary Building as a National Cultural Treasure.

The Central Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas was designed by Fernando Ocampo. It was built in the 1930s. The plan of the seminary was configured in the form of the letter E, with courtyards bisecting the wings. The boxy building had an elongated frontage assembling a continuous band of balconies and windows on the second and third level. The structure’s horizontally-oriented massing was broken by an engaged central section at the main entrance and two other similar treatments at the end portions. An art deco relief, bud-like finials, and a tableau embellished the stepped pylon at the entrance.

Section 3 of “The Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act” states that a “National Cultural Treasure is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to this country and nation.” This prestigious recognition marks the first ever inclusion of an educational institution among the ranks of National Cultural Treasures, with the majority of structures being churches and the rest being terrestrial landmarks, intangible cultural property and movable objects.” As heritage sites, they will be accorded protection and recognition, giving importance to their witness of 400 years of tumultuous Philippine history.

View from Gonzales Drive

Entrance and central facade

Regular fenestration

Entrance to Santisimo Rosario Parish Church

Columns

View of the nave from the entrance