About the

Parish
The Parish of St. Anthony of Padua
Camaligan is a Roman Catholic
church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur,
The first church structure of
Philippines. It is the one of the two
Camaligan that was made of stones
parish churches of the Roman
and woods was burnt in the year 1856.
The current church architecture was Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres
only completed in 1857, a year after located in the town of Camaligan. The
the original structure was burnt. parish was established in 1795. It is a
Though, it is still considered one of 157-year-old church built by
the oldest churches in Camarines Sur Franciscan missionaries, has managed
that is very rich in religious and to survive through the years to
cultural history, and a popular spot for become an enduring cultural and
Visita Iglesia. religious legacy of the town.

 Architecture History and

Canonical

Faith Erection
The church’s foundation and walls
Camaligan was under the In 1775, Camaligan was declared a
were plastered by thousands of egg
ecclesiastical and civil jurisdiction of separate town from Nueva Caceres
whites mixed with lime while the
Nueva Caceres (now Naga City) for but it was only in 1795 when a parish
bricks used were a mix of ashes made
almost two centuries, from year 1578 priest, in the person of Fray Rafael
from freshwater clams, straw and clay
to 1775. Benevente, was appointed here by the
that were baked in the village of San
Franciscan mission which covered the
Mateo, one of the 13 villages
In the year 1775, the town became an whole territory of the Bicol region at
comprising Camaligan town.
independent political unit under the that time.

The church is influenced by baroque administration of Bishop Domingo

Ollantes of Nueva Caceres. However, it A church made of stones and wooden
architecture as shown in its arched
was only in 1795 when Fray Rafael structures was built, but was burnt in
doors and windows on the front and
Benevente, was appointed parish the year 1856.
sides. Inside the church is the retablo,
or altar piece, where a statue of St. priest by the Franciscan mission.
A year after the burning of the
Anthony of Padua stands in the
St. Anthony of Padua, the favorite original church, in 1857, during the
middle.
saint of the Franciscans whose feast is term of Fray Juan Ontiveros as parish
celebrated on June 13, is also the priest, the present church structure
patron saint of the towns of was completed. It is said that when
Siruma, Presentacion and this church was built, the real
Iriga City in Camarines intention of the friars was to wipe out
Sur. 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.
Sources:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/594885/157-yr-old-church-endures-in-
camarines-sur
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/St._Anthony_of_Padua_Parish_Churc
h_(Camaligan)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Anthony_of_Padua_Parish_Church_(
Camaligan)