Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Los Baños) Explained

Los Baños Church
Fullname:Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Pushpin Map:Philippines Laguna#Luzon mainland#Philippines
Map Caption:Location in Laguna##Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:14.1787°N 121.2219°W
Location:Poblacion, Los Baños, Laguna
Country:Philippines
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Founded Date:1613
Founder:San Pedro Bautista
Dedication:Immaculate Conception
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architectural Type:Church building
Style:Baroque
Completed Date:1790
Materials:Sand, gravel, cement, wood, and bricks
Deanery:Immaculate Conception
Archdiocese:Manila
Diocese:San Pablo
Priest:Jose D. Barrion
Asstpriest:Steven Lanz Domingo

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Filipino; Pilipino: Simbahan ng Parokya ng Immaculada Concepcion) is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Its titular is the Spanish; Castilian: Nuestra Señora del Aguas Santas (also Immaculate Conception) and its feast is celebrated every December 8. The church is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Pablo.

History

The town of Los Baños started as a visita of Bay under the Augustinian order with Nicolas de Tolentino as the titular saint. In 1590, Franciscans replaced the Augustinians in their missions with Pedro Bautista, later canonized as San Pedro Bautista. He discovered numerous hot springs in the area which locals called Maynit.[1] He created a public bath he called the Los Baños.[2] After twenty years, the Franciscans established a temporary convent to administer the hot springs that were popular for healing illnesses. A small hospital chapel was built in 1613 in the absence of a church until 1727 dedicated to the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, with the title Spanish; Castilian: Aguas Santas. It was brought down by fire in 1727. A temporary chapel was built out of nipa and cane which was later destroyed again by fire. A big stone church was built in 1790 by Domingo Mateo in its present site. The belfry, sacristy and tile roofing were supervised by Manuel Amat in 1851 and the convent in 1852. The convent and bell tower were destroyed during the 1863 earthquake but repairs were made during the administration of Manuel Rodriguez and Gilberto Martin in 1880. It was also used in World War II by the Japanese occupying forces as a garrison and headquarters.

Devotion

The local image of the Virgin Mary under the titular of the Immaculate Conception is known as the Spanish; Castilian: Nuestra Señora del Aguas Santas (also Virgin of the Holy Waters). The image of Immaculate Concepcion was said to be miraculous. Some of the miracles includes the wetting of the Virgin’s robes up to the shoulders, amor seco growing from the hems of her garments and mysterious footprints all over the church leading to her altar.[3] Due to the popular devotion to the Virgin and miracles attributed to her, the church is currently petitioning to become a diocesan shrine.

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Laguna's old churches await pilgrims. March 24, 2005. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  2. Web site: 'Healing bath' also a matter of faith. October 15, 2011. June 13, 2014. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Cinco. Maricar.
  3. Web site: Los Banos Church. June 13, 2014.