San Pedro Calungsod church in Pulangbato

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma places some San Pedro Calungsod memorabilia in a time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony. (CDN Photo/Michelle Padayhag)

After the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the South Road Properties, a church named after the Cebuano saint will soon rise in barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday and was attended by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Palma told reporters that, “A church is needed so that in times of celebration the people will not sacrifice from too much heat of the sun and heavy downpour.”

“A conducive atmosphere also brings a nice celebration.”

Architect Michael Torres, president of ArchiGlobal Inc., drafted  the design for the San Pedro Calungsod Church.

Split level
The church’s design is inspired by the mitre (cap) worn by the late Pope John Paul II.

The layout is similar to the San Pedro Calungsod Chapel in SRP.

“It is split level  and there will be a slope. We will use the slope to maximize the space,” Torres said.

The upper level will be occupied by the congregation where the church is while the lower level will house the function room and the adoration chapel. The parking space also faces the river.

Torres said  church construction would cost P40 million.

There is also no specific time frame for its completion.

The church will have a floor space of  1,200 square meters and can accommodate 700 people.

Fr. Benjie Herrera, parish priest, said their weekly collections will also help finance the construction of the church.

So far they have P3 million cash on hand excluding the pledges.

The lot is donated by Flora S. Montebon, one of the parishioners. When asked about her reason for donating the lot she said, “I was guided by the Holy Spirit and this lot has been idle for a long time. And now we see its purpose.”

The San Pedro Calungsod parish was established on December 6, 2013. The parish has 22 chapels in three barangays.