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Camalaniugan Church Ruins

Coordinates: 18°16′15.6738″N 121°40′31.6897″E / 18.271020500°N 121.675469361°E / 18.271020500; 121.675469361
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Camalaniugan Church Ruins
The church ruins in 2006
Map
18°16′15.6738″N 121°40′31.6897″E / 18.271020500°N 121.675469361°E / 18.271020500; 121.675469361
LocationCamalaniugan, Cagayan
CountryPhilippines
Religious instituteRoman Catholic
History
StatusRuins
Founded1596; 428 years ago (1596)
Architecture
Functional statusInactive
Heritage designationNational Historical Landmark
Architectural typeChurch building

Camalaniugan Church Ruins are ruins of a Roman Catholic church located in Camalaniugan, Cagayan, Philippines. Built in 1596, the church was dedicated to Hyacinth of Poland, a Dominican priest and saint.[1]

History

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The local people of the Camalaniugan were friendly to the Spanish missionaries, which led to the founding of the church in 1596.[1] Overlooking the Cagayan River,[2] the first church was believed to have a roof of thatch.[3]

From the 17th to 19th century, the Camalaniugan Church was damaged by earthquakes, floods, fires and typhoons, and repeatedly repaired. In 1898, a typhoon unroofed the church. However, the church was not repaired after the typhoon as its wall was already crumbling into the river, and a new church was planned to be buillt in another location away from the river.[4]

Present

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The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the church as a national historical landmark in 1939.[5]

Today, the old church's ruined walls are still visible. In addition, the kiln that was used to produce the bricks for the church is still standing.[6] Between the church ruins and the kiln, the current Camalaniugan Church is located, as well as a new belfry, built in 1998.[4]

Artifacts and Structures

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Bell

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The current Camalaniugan Church houses the oldest bell in the Philippines.[7] The bell was cast in 1595 with "Santa Maria de Binalatoca" inscribed.[8] It was believed to have come from the town of Binalatongan, presently known as San Carlos in Pangasinan.[9][10] It was brought to Camalaniugan when the town of Binalatongan was burned during the Palaris Revolt in the 18th century.[4]

Kiln

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The kiln that was used to made bricks for rebuilding the church is still standing.[6] It was estimated to have been built in the 18th century.[4]

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Reference

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  1. ^ a b History from the People: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Mt. Province. National Historical Institute and Philippine National Historical Society. 1998. ISBN 978-971-538-124-6.
  2. ^ Survey Report on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Republic of the Philippines (PDF). Japan: Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage. 2014.
  3. ^ The Philippine Islands, 1493 1898: Volume XXX. BoD – Books on Demand. September 25, 2019. ISBN 978-3-7340-7763-0.
  4. ^ a b c d "Philippiniana Sacra ; Volume 54, Issue 0162 (May-August 2019)". ustdigitallibrary.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Church of Camalaniugan | Registry". Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Salgado, Pedro V. (2002). Cagayan Valley and Eastern Cordillera, 1581-1898. Pedro V. Salgado, O.P. ISBN 978-971-23-3307-1.
  7. ^ The Philippines, Pearl of the Orient. Islas Filipinas Publishing Company. 1988.
  8. ^ "Old Sancta Maria Bell | Cagayan Tourism". Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Jose, Regalado Trota (1991). Simbahan: Church Art in Colonial Philippines, 1565-1898. Ayala Museum. ISBN 978-971-8851-13-5.
  10. ^ "San Carlos City". The Official Website of the Province of Pangasinan. Retrieved March 12, 2024.