Samal Church
| Samal Church | |
|---|---|
| Saint Catherine of Siena Parish Church | |
Parroquia de Santa Catalina de Siena de Samal (Spanish) | |
Church facade in 2025 | |
Samal Church Location in Luzon Samal Church Location in the Philippines | |
| 14°46′12.5″N 120°32′30.0″E / 14.770139°N 120.541667°E | |
| Location | Samal, Bataan |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1596 |
| Dedication | Catherine of Siena |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Historical Landmark |
| Designated | 1939 |
| Architectural type | Church building |
| Administration | |
| Division | Vicariate of St. Dominic De Guzman |
| Province | San Fernando |
| Metropolis | San Fernando |
| Archdiocese | San Fernando |
| Diocese | Balanga |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Florentino G. Lavarias |
| Bishop | Rufino C. Sescon, Jr. |
| Priest | Alwin B. Bobis |
Saint Catherine of Siena Parish Church, commonly known as Samal Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Samal, Bataan, Philippines. The church is dedicated to the Italian saint Catherine of Siena. The Dominicans constructed the first church in 1596. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Balanga.[1]
The parish has a Catholic population of 11,581, under Titular of St. Catherine of Siena, with Feast day on April 30. Its former Parish Priest is Monsignor Edilfredo Cruz of the Vicariate of St. Dominic de Guzman.[2] From June 5, 2023 to December 26, 2025, Fr. Josue V. Enero was assigned as Rector and Parish Priest of the church until his death. Due to his death, Rufino Sescon, Bishop of Balanga, appointed Alwin B. Bobis as parish administrator on January 19, 2026.[3]
History
The Dominicans in 1596 directed the spirituality of Samal. Attacked by Dutch invaders in April 1647, the local garrison of Pampanga under Alejo Aguas ousted the Dutch forces. Rev. Jeromino Belen, O.P. rebuilt the ruined church and the convent. In 1896, the Katipuneros burned the church and convent which were rebuilt by Rev. Justo Quesada in 1903.[4]
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the church as a national historical landmark in 1939.[5]
Gallery
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Church interior in 2023
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Church PHC historical marker installed in 1939
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Convent
References
- ^ "St. Catherine's images in old Bataan church attract pilgrims". radyonatin.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Department of Tourism - The Philippines Ultimate Travel Guide for Tourist". Visitmyphilippines.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ^ "NewAssignsJune6". Balangadiocese.com. June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Samal Church (Samal, Bataan)". Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Church of Samal | Registry". Retrieved March 1, 2024.
External links
- Media related to Samal Church at Wikimedia Commons
- Samal Church on Facebook