Itbayat Church Explained

Itbayat Church
Fullname:Santa Maria de Mayan Church
Pushpin Map:Philippines Batanes#Luzon#Philippines
Map Caption:Location in Batanes##Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:20.7867°N 121.8414°W
Location:Itbayat, Batanes
Country:Philippines
Denomination:Roman Catholicism
Religious Order:Dominicans
Dedication:Immaculate Conception
Status:Church
Functional Status:Damaged
Years Built:1872–1888
Archdiocese:Tuguegarao
Diocese:Prelature of Batanes

The Santa Maria de Mayan Parish Church, commonly known as the Itbayat Church (Filipino; Pilipino: Simbahan ng Itbayat), is a historic Roman Catholic church in Itbayat, Batanes, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Territorial Prelature of Batanes.

Background

The original structure of the Santa Maria de Mayan Church was made of wood. The original wooden church was built from 1853 to 1858[1] and was placed under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception.[2] The current church building was built by the Dominicans. The construction of the church building was started during the administration of Fr. Manuel Blasco in 1872. It was completed in 1888 and the church was blessed by Blasco.[1]

The church building sustained major damage during the Batanes earthquake of July 27, 2019 with its belfry tower falling off.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Simbahan ng Itbayat . Filipino . Itbayat Church . 2008 . Historical marker. . Itbayat, Batanes.
  2. News: Navasero . Mandy . Five pillars of faith in Batanes . 27 July 2019 . . 17 February 2013.
  3. News: Itbayat church, ancestral homes damaged in Batanes earthquake . 27 July 2019 . . 27 July 2019.