The Lady of Atocha Parish in Isabela |
I was fortunate enough to still be assigned for field work in Isabela province even in my last month of my corporate job. Me, not wanting to miss an opportunity to see something new and explore a place while in there even for work, took the time to walk around the quiet town of Alicia, Isabela while waiting for documents to be released in the LGU office and guess what I’ve stumble upon, one of the centuries-old Spanish churches located in the Isabela-Cagayan area, The Lady of Atocha Parish of Alicia.
Lady of Atocha | The view from the side |
The structure of the Lady of Atocha Parish was original built by the Spaniards in the 18th century, but not finished. History says that “Passing by Old Angadanan (now Alicia) town on February 12, 1805, Fr. Manuel Mora, OP wrote that “Angadanan has a convent of bricks, though not totally finished. Its church is timber, wood, and bamboo. The number of inhabitants is 791.” The church and convent as seen today in the town of Alicia, beautiful and solid, was built by Fr. Tomas Calderon, OP and inaugurated in 1849, with Fr. Francisco Gainza, OP, then vicar of Carig (now Santiago City). The church was dedicated to the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, more popularly known today as Our Lady of Atocha. The church is known for its antique Castilian architectural design and can be found along the Maharlika Highway and is accessible by land transport.
During my visit, they were doing some maintenance work to preserve the original exterior of the church made of bricks but the interior today has been fully refurbished.
Inside the Lady of Atocha Parish |
ang ganda! i saw this on my way to Cauayan from Santiago City. too bad i didn't get down of the van as I'm already late for my fligth back to Manila... :)
ReplyDeletenabasa ko nga sa FB, pabalik ka na the day before ako pumunta.. :)
Deleteang ganda ng loob... so much classic...
ReplyDeletesana makapunta rin ako dito for my "Project Philippines Churches"..
Very nice photographs! The church is so beautiful, I wish I could travel once again so I could visit The Lady of Atocha Parish of Alicia along Maharlika Highway located in the Isabela-Cagayan area. Hays! Please pray with me that I will be one hundred percent healthy na! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAng old ng labas pero sa loob mukang medyo may pagka new ang look. I like the bricks style.
ReplyDeletethanks for posting pictures of our church in alicia, isabela. these pictures bring back flood of memories. i was born and raised in this town and the church has borne witness to many of the significant moments in my life-- baptism, confirmation, etc. i hope that the church shall be preserved for prosperity.
ReplyDelete