Dumangas Church, Roman Catholic parish church in Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines
Dumangas Church is a Catholic parish church in the town of Dumangas on Panay Island, standing since the late 1800s. The structure blends Gothic and Byzantine styles using red bricks and coral stones, featuring tall pointed windows, twin pillars on the facade, and decorative arches at the main entrance.
The original settlement became a parish in 1569 when Father Juan de Alva started construction of the first wooden church in 1572. The current stone structure was completed between 1887 and 1896 by Father Fernando Llorente after the previous buildings had been destroyed multiple times by fires and earthquakes.
The church serves as the spiritual center where locals gather for weekly masses, baptisms, and celebrations of Saint Augustine on August 28. The building holds deep meaning for the community as a place where families mark important life moments and maintain their Catholic traditions.
The church is easily reached on foot in downtown Dumangas and features a small plaza in front with gardens on both sides of the entrance. Visitors can attend weekly masses on Wednesday and Sunday or simply walk inside to experience the peaceful interior and view the architectural details.
The church is believed to be the first stone church built on Panay Island and carries visible marks of its resilience through multiple reconstructions after fires, earthquakes, and war damage. This cycle of destruction and renewal is embedded in its walls, making it a symbol of the community's determination to preserve their faith.
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