The Saint Anne Parish Church, commonly known as Magarao Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Magarao, Camarines Sur. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Caceres.
| Magarao Church | |
|---|---|
| Saint Anne Parish Church | |
.jpg) Church facade in 2025. | |
.svg)  Magarao Church Location in Luzon .svg) Magarao Church Location in the Philippines | |
| 13°39′41″N 123°11′24″E / 13.66139°N 123.19000°E | |
| Location | Magarao, Camarines Sur |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1750 |
| Dedication | Saint Anne |
| Dedicated | August 23, 2020 |
| Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | National Historical Landmark |
| Designated | 1939 |
Architectural type | Church building |
| Style | Spanish Colonial architecture |
| Completed | 1849 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Caceres |
| Deanery | Saint Anne |
History
editThe name “magarao” is derived from garao, a thorny shrub formerly abundant in the locality.[1] Franciscan missionaries visited the settlement as early as 1570, with missionary activity renewed in 1690. The settlement was initially a visita of Canaman and became an independent parish in 1750.[2]
An early church was destroyed by earthquakes in 1811, leading to the construction of a temporary structure made of wood, bamboo, and nipa.[3] In 1826, construction of the present stone church commenced and was completed in 1849 together with the convent.[4]
The church sustained significant damage during the earthquake of March 1887 and was subsequently repaired under Rev. Vicente Rojo and Rev. Higinio del Alamo, O.F.M.[1] It also suffered damage from typhoons in 1942 and June 1972, with repairs recorded in 1948.[5]
Architecture
editThe church is an example of colonial-era ecclesiastical architecture characterized by thick masonry walls and massive supports.[1] The façade features arched openings and pilasters resting on plinths, with decorative cartouches.[3] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared it a national landmark and installed a historical marker on the church's facade on a pilaster near the main entrance on the gospel side in 1939.[6]
The pediment contains an arched window and three alcoves, while a quadrangular belfry with a pyramidal roof rises above the structure. Finials are present along the outermost sections of the façade. The interior is distinguished by fiberglass panels bearing religious imagery and ornamental designs.[1]
Gallery
edit
The church facade in 2025.
Church NHCP marker installed in 1939.
The church interior in 2025.
The details of the church's ceiling.
The church's dedication marker.
The side of the church.
The church's buttresses.
The parish office.
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References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Javellana, Rene B. (1991). Wood & Stone for God: The Churches of the Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University Press.
- ↑ Huerta, Felix de (1865). Estado Geográfico, Topográfico, Estadístico, Histórico-Religioso de la Santa y Apostólica Provincia de San Gregorio Magno.
- 1 2 "Church of Magarao". National Historical Commission of the Philippines. NHCP. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "St. Anne Church in Magarao, Camarines Sur". The Old Churches. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ "Historical Churches of Camarines Sur". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
- ↑ Philippines Bureau of Public Schools (1958). Historical Markers Placed by the Philippines Historical Committee. Bureau of Print.
External links
edit
Media related to Saint Anne Parish Church (Magarao) at Wikimedia Commons
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