Church of the Holy Sacrifice

The Church of the Holy Sacrifice is a church that can easily be noticed because of its peculiar dome-shape, an architectural characteristic not usually found in churches. Built in 1955, it is considered as a National Historical Landmark and a Cultural treasure by the National Historical Institute. Then Diliman Catholic Chaplain. Fr. John Delaney S.J., commissioned Leandro Locsin to design a church that can easily be opened and can accommodate a thousand people. The result was the first round chapel in the Philippines with the altar at the middle and the first church to ever have a thin shell concrete dome. It is lauded as “masterpiece of Filipino artistry and ingenuity” by National Historical Institute Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo.

The dome of the church is held up by pillars situated at the sides of the church, so that there will be no need for supports to block the space inside. The unique design of the dome allows natural lighting and ventilation. At the center of the dome is a round skylight, which supports the triangular bell tower. The tower extends to the interior, supporting the crucifix. The arrangement of the interior of the church is concentric, with the altar in the middle.

The design of this parish veered away from the orthodox style of churches built during the Spanish era and even from the style of churches after that. Its dome shape gives it a distinctiveness not to be found among other churches. The flooring of the church was designed by Arturo Luz, the Stations of the Cross by Vicente Manansala and Ang Kiukok, and the double-sided crucifix and altar base by Napoleon Abueva. All of them are now National Artists.

Since it was first built, there have been many changes to its exterior and interior designs. The dome which had originally been white is now green. The altar base was also changed from wood to marble. All of this were continues works of National Artist Napoleon Abueva. But the most striking change done to the church is that it is now fenced off. The once open grounds that surrounded the church are now landscaped. It is now surrounded by the U.P. Health Service Building and the U.P. Shopping Center.