St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church (Camaligan)

The St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church (Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de San Antonio de Padua), originally known as Camaligan Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is the one of the two parish churches of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres located in the town of Camaligan.[3] The parish was established in 1795.[1] The first church structure of Camaligan that was made of stones and woods was burnt in the year 1856.[2] The current church architecture was only completed in 1857,[4] a year after the original structure was burnt. Though, it is still considered as one of the oldest churches in Camarines Sur that is very rich in religious and cultural history,[5] and a popular spot for Visita Iglesia.[4]

St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church
Simbahan kan Parokya ni San Antonio de Padua Iglesia Parroquial de San Antonio de Padua
Façade of St. Anthony of Padua Parish
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church Location in the Philippines
13°37′15″N 123°10′08″E
Location	Camaligan, Camarines Sur
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	Facebook
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	1795
Founder(s)	Franciscan Mission[1]
Dedication	St. Anthony of Padua
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Baroque
Years built	1856-1857[2]
Completed	1857[2]
Closed	N/A
Demolished	N/A
Specifications
Materials	Stones, cement, egg whites, bricks made from ashes of freshwater clams, straws and clay [1]
Administration
Archdiocese	Cacares
Province	Caceres
Clergy
Archbishop	Most Rev. Rolando Joven Tria Tirona, O.C.D., D.D.
Rector	Rev. Fr. Glenn C. Ruiz, SThL, M.A
Vicar(s)	Rev. Fr. Serafin Amaro

The church is under the Vicariate of St. John the Evangelist.[6] As of June 18, 2018, the current parish priest is Rev. Fr. Glenn C. Ruiz.[7]

History

Camaligan was under the ecclesiastical and civil jurisdiction of Nueva Caceres (now Naga City) for almost two centuries, from year 1578 to 1775.[1]

In the year 1775, the town became an independent political unit under the administration of Bishop Domingo Ollantes of Nueva Caceres.[8] However, it was only in 1795 when Fray Rafael Benevente, was appointed parish priest by the Franciscan mission.[9]

A church made of stones and wooden structures was built, but was burnt in the year 1856.[2]

A year after the burning of the original church, in 1857, during the term of Fray Juan Ontiveros as parish priest,[2] the present church structure was completed.[1] It is said that when this church was built, the real intention of the friars was to wipe out pre-colonial lifestyle and practices of the newly-colonized town from looking back to their pre-colonial lifestyle and practices. In fact, the land where the church stands is a former burial ground during pre-colonial times.[5]

Gallery

• 
  The altar of the church
• 
  The church's bricks in detail
• 
  The church with its newly-constructed belfry

References

1. Escandor, Juan Jr."157-yr-old church endures in Camarines Sur". Inquirer.net. 17 April 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
2. Marcaida, Dominador Jr. "Profile of Barangay San Mateo, Camaligan, Camarines Sur". Escuela Catekumenal Communities. 27 April 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
3. "Parish Directory of the Archdiocese of Caceres". Archdiocese of Caceres. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
4. "VISITA IGLESIA IN CAMARINES SUR, PHILIPPINES – 7 CHURCH IN 7 DAYS ITINERARY". Two Monkeys Travel. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
5. "Historic Camaligan". I Know Places. 30 March 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
6. "List of Vicariates". Archdiocese of Caceres. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
7. "New Assignments of Priests in Caceres". Archdiocese of Caceres. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
8. "Origin of the Name of Camaligan". camaligueno ako. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
9. Marcaida, Dominador Jr. "Camaligan Town and Municipality History". Academia. 30 September 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2019.

External links