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Holy Rosary Parish Church (Angeles City)

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Coordinates: 15°08′03″N 120°35′25″E / 15.134274°N 120.590265°E / 15.134274; 120.590265
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Holy Rosary Parish Church
  • Santo Rosario Church
  • Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church
Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Spanish)
Church facade in 2015
Holy Rosary Parish Church is located in Luzon
Holy Rosary Parish Church
Holy Rosary Parish Church
Location in Luzon
Holy Rosary Parish Church is located in Philippines
Holy Rosary Parish Church
Holy Rosary Parish Church
Location in the Philippines
15°08′03″N 120°35′25″E / 15.134274°N 120.590265°E / 15.134274; 120.590265
LocationAngeles City
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Founded1877 (1877)
DedicationMost Holy Virgin of the Rosary
DedicatedFebruary 12, 1896
Consecrated1877 to 1896
Architecture
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleGothic Revival Renaissance
Administration
DivisionRegion 3
ProvincePampanga
ArchdioceseSan Fernando
Clergy
ArchbishopMost Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D.
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. Nolasco L. Fernandez
Rev. Fr. Elmer Magat
Rev. Fr. Jasper Laurence Sanita
Rev. Fr. Mark Anthony Torrecarion

Holy Rosary Parish Church, also known as Santo Rosario Church or the Pisamban Maragul (transl. Big Church), is a Roman Catholic church in Angeles City in the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of San Fernando. The church stands in the epicenter of the old Angeles town (formerly Barrio Culiat of San Fernando, Pampanga), now known as Angeles City. The church building is recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as a national historical site[1] and as an important cultural property by the National Museum of the Philippines.[2][3]

History

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Church NHC historical marker installed in 2017

The foundations of the Holy Rosary Parish Church were first laid on October 18, 1877, by the founding families of old Angeles town led by Don Mariano V. Henson. It was laid out by town planners in the Spanish colonial era and is now one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city today. The church was constructed from 1877 to 1896 by the Polo y Servicio labor system, defined as the forced and unpaid labor of Filipino males for 40 days per year by the Spanish colonial government.

The first Mass was held when only half of the church was built on April 14, 1886. The second half of the church, which includes the building's distinctive dome, was finished on September 17, 1891. The twin bells were rung for the first time on February 12, 1896. The church was finally finished as it still stands today in October 1909. Its engineering and architectural skills were provided by Don Antonio de la Camara from Manila.[4]

Historical marker commemorating the Japanese bombing of the church during World War II

The backyard of the church became the execution grounds from 1896-1898 during tensions between Filipino rebels and the Spanish forces.[4] The church was also used by the U.S. Army as a military hospital from 1899 to 1900. During World War II, the church's belfry was destroyed; it was restored by the government with the help of American troops and was finished by early 1944.[5]

In 2023, the two busiest times of the year at the church are the Good Friday Procession, where bare-footed followers of the Apung Mamacalulu, or Lord of the Holy Sepulchre, join the procession in the city proper; and the Easter Sunday celebration of Salubong that ends with the traditional meeting of the Risen Christ and Virgin Mary amidst fireworks.[6]

2019 Luzon earthquake

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Main article: 2019 Luzon earthquake

On April 22, 2019, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake[7] struck the island of Luzon in the Philippines, leaving at least 18 dead, three missing and injuring at least 256 others. Despite the epicenter being in Zambales, most of the damage to infrastructure occurred in the neighboring province of Pampanga, which suffered damage to 29 buildings and structures, including churches.[8]

During the 2019 Luzon earthquake, the church sustained critical damage in two pillars and several windows' concrete frames, as well as cracks in several walls on the ceiling.[9]

Restoration

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The church in 2023, showing ongoing restoration works

The 2019 Luzon earthquake exposed the church's deteriorating conditions that demanded repair, restoration and conservation work. Installation of shoring, and removal of debris and components were done to ensure the church's safety. Moreover, engineering works were performed to remove additions made to the structure over time and repair masonry defects on the west bell tower.[10]

The church's restoration work takes 5 years and requires 100 million pesos funding.[11]

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References

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  1. ^ Happy Trip website
  2. ^ Philippine News Agency
  3. ^ Gary (July 16, 2012). "Holy Rosary Church (Angeles City, Philippines)". The Triple eX. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Pampanga Churches". Andropampanga.com. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  5. ^ Guide to the Philippines website
  6. ^ "Angeles Church". Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  7. ^ "Earthquake Information NO.: 3". Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "18 dead, over 280 injured in Central Luzon due to quake - NDRRMC". GMA News Online. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  9. ^ Cervantes, Ding. "Angeles heritage church closed for repairs". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  10. ^ Mortel-Baricaua, Carla (August 30, 2020). "In Isolation and In Restoration of the 'Big Church' | Carla Mortel-Baricaua". BusinessMirror. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (October 14, 2019). "Quake-ravaged church needs P100M to rebuild". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
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