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| San Bartolome Parish Church, 1963 |
If you are going to the town proper of Magalang, this structure is one of the revered heritage structures that you aren't must be missed. San Bartolome Parish Church or locally known as pisamban maragul is one of the heritage churches has the Baroque design and architecture. Before this magnificent church was built, the parish itself was established in April 30, 1605 by the Augustinian friars in Macapsa. The town proper was eventually transferred to San Bartolome (now part of Concepcion, Tarlac) in 1734. Due to difficult conditions of the parish brought by natural calamities and underdevelopment, in 1740, the priors of Bacolor and Mexico were asked to pay 20 pesos each while the priors of Candaba and Guagua were also asked to pay 10 pesos for the support of the convent of Magalang. This support was lasted until 1762.
The new church was built during the administrations of Fr. Martin Mendiguren, OSA (1735), Fr. Manuel Obregon, OSA (1744) and Fr. Agustin Galceran, OSA (1745). In a report by the pastoral visit of Archbishop Jose Segui, OSA to Magalang in 1831, the structure of the church was made up of wood with a roofing made up of anahaw leaves. In 1858, a large flood swept the whole town due to overflowing of Parua River which brought by the continuous torrential rain. In 1860, a Royal Decree was promulgated, creating the new town of Concepcion composed of barrios of Magalang located on the northern bank of Parua River. Until 1863, the forced evacuation was enforced and Magalang was transferred to the present site. The new town of Concepcion was still spiritually dependent to Magalang until 1866.
In 1866, Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia, OSA laid the foundations of the new church on the land donated by Don Cristobal Lacson. In 1875, Fr. Baltasar Gamarra, OSA finished the facade and the bell tower. Fr. Fernando Vasquez, OSA laid the finishing touches and installed two large bells casted by Hilario Sunico which they have beautiful tones. In 1892, Fr. Toribio Fanjul, OSA renovated the flooring and the church sacristy. During the revolutionary years, the church particularly the convent was converted into a prison by the revolutionaries. It was there that Spanish prisoners including Fr. Antonio Redondo, OSA the last Augustinian parish priest of San Fernando were incarcerated. In November 5, 1899, the Americans led by Major General Arthur MacArthur (father of Gen. Douglas MacArthur) and Col. Jacob H. Smith (who later implicated in the infamous Balangiga Massacre) captured the town. A brief battle was held within the vicinity of the church which led to its eventual occupation. The 25th Infantry and 41st Infantry of US Army established quarters in the convent until 1901. During Japanese period, the bell tower was made into an observational post by the Japanese and later by the Americans.
In 1950, the retablo menores were renovated and large images of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, donated by Dr. Andres J. Luciano were installed. In 1952, major renovations of the church were implemented during the administration of Rev. Fr. Pedro N. Magtoto. In 1978, the old convent and the bell tower were renovated during the administration of Rev. Fr. Odon T. Santos. He also installed wooden stations of the cross within the church premises. In 1998, the parish with the generous assistance from Tancungco family initiated the installation of galvanized iron dome on the bell tower. In 2002, Rev. Fr. Raul de los Santos reconstructed the old altar and he initiated renovations on the convent, sacristy and baptistery. In 2007, Rev. Fr. Venancio D. Viray constructed a new covered court and repainted the church. During the incumbency of Rev. Fr. Mario Sol M. Gabriel, he initiated the reconstruction of the old retablo. He also constructed steel fences around the church, mechanized the old church bells constructed a columbarium and renovated the existing gazebo. He also renovated the Old Catholic Cemetery after decades of neglect and damage. He also initiated the enshrinement of a first class relic of San Bartolome Apostol, the first parish in the Philippines under the patronage of the apostle who received its sacred relic. In 2015, the National Museum of the Philippines bestowed the church as one of the Important Cultural Properties in the Philippines. In 2019, an earthquake struck in Central Luzon resulted in major damages. The bell tower had cracks and the parish decided to suspend indefinitely the ringing of the bells to preserve its structural integrity.
Photo Credits:
Capagmausuian Qng Aldo Pangasilang ning Magalang, Diciembre 28-29, 1963.
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