Orion Church Explained

Orion Church
Fullname:Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church
Pushpin Map:Luzon mainland#Philippines
Map Caption:Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:14.6216°N 120.5763°W
Location:Bataan
Country:Philippines
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Founded Date:1667
Founder:Father Jose Campomares, OP
Dedication:Saint Michael the Archangel
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architectural Type:Church building
Style:Baroque
Completed Date:After 1852
Materials:Brick, Sand, Stone, Gravel, Cement, Steel, Concrete
Parish:Saint Michael the Archangel
Province:San Fernando
Metropolis:San Fernando
Archdiocese:San Fernando
Diocese:Balanga
Division:Vicariate of St. Michael the Archangel
Archbishop:Florentino G. Lavarias
Bishop:Sede Vacante
Priest:Fr. Abraham SP. Pantig

The Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church, commonly known as Orion Church, is a 16th-century, Baroque Roman Catholic church located at Brgy. San Vicente, Orion, Bataan, Philippines. The parish church, dedicated to Saint Michael, the Archangel, is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Balanga. A marker bearing the brief history of the structure has been installed in its façade by the National Historical Committee, precursor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The current priest of the parish church is Fr. Abraham SP. Pantig.

History

Orion was established by the Dominican Priests on April 30, 1667. The present-day 19th-century church was built by Father Jose Campomanes, OP after an earthquake in 1852 which destroyed the previous structure.[1]

Architecture and ornamentation

Exterior

The church façade is of barn-style Baroque, a style that has been described as typically found in most Spanish-era churches in the Philippines. It features side pillars capped by urn-like finials, pilasters that divide the façade into five segments and cornices that divide the expanse of the wall into two levels. The pediment is semi-arched and ends into two small volutes before tapering down to the sides. It is adorned by a framed saint's niche flanked by two hexagonal windows. A concrete porte cochere has been added later into the structure. To the left of the church rises the four-level, slender belfry. The two uppermost levels are octagonal and are pierced with rectangular, circular and semicircular arched campanile windows.

Interior

The main altarpiece or retablo, which was done in the early 18th century, is done in Rococo style.[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Galende, OSA. Pedro. Philippine Church Facades. 2007. San Agustin Museum. Manila, Philippines. 9789710724338. 115. 1st.
  2. Book: Noche. Manuel Maximo. Retablo: The Living Shrines of Faith. 2010. Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc.. Makati, Philippines. 978-971-94877-0-8. 27.