A Brief History of San Pedro Cathedral

In 1846, the Recollects started their Mission in Davao, taking charge of the place where San Pedro Cathedral sits today. From 1851-59, the Recollects were busy evangelizing and baptizing the Bagobos, the natives of Davao. By 1860, the Mission of San Pedro under the Recollects was raised to the status of a Parish under Fray José Fernandez as the first parish priest. Eight years later, four Jesuits from Zamboanga arrived to take over the Mission of the Recollects. They were Ramon Barua, Domingo Bove, Ramon Pamies, and Brother Antonio Garriolas. They purchased and took charge of the church.

During the Philippine Revolution, the Jesuits were expelled from Davao. However, by 1900, the Jesuits Mateo Gisbert, Juan Martín, and Ramon Morros returned to Davao and reestablished the Mission which continued until 1939. The Jesuits then handed-over the Mission to the P.M.E. Fathers. Since then, we had three bishops: Bishop Clovis Thibault, Bishop Antonio Mabutas, and Bishop Fernando Capalla, who oversaw the expansion of the archdiocese. Today, Archbishop Romulo Valles is at the helm of the ship, steering the Church of Davao forward with the help of the priests, including the religious and the lay to fulfill the command of the risen Lord – to announce the Good News of Salvation throughout the world! (Source: Fr. Jose Javellana S.J.)