Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Los Baños)

Los Baños Church
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Parokya ng Birhen ng Aguas Santas

Facade of the Church of Los Baños
Los Baños Church
Republic of the Philippines
14°10′43″N 121°13′19″E / 14.178733°N 121.221912°E / 14.178733; 121.221912Coordinates: 14°10′43″N 121°13′19″E / 14.178733°N 121.221912°E / 14.178733; 121.221912
Location Poblacion, Los Baños, Laguna
Country Philippines
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Founded 1613
Founder(s) San Pedro Bautista
Dedication Immaculate Conception
Architecture
Status Parish church
Functional status Active
Architectural type Church building
Style Baroque
Completed 1790
Specifications
Materials Sand, gravel, cement, wood, and bricks
Administration
Archdiocese Manila
Diocese San Pablo
Province Manila
Clergy
Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle
Bishop(s) Buenaventura M. Famadico
Priest(s) Zaldy Fortuno

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Filipino: Simbahan ng Parokya ng Immaculada Concepcion) is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Its titular is the Nuestra Señora del Aguas Santas (also Immaculate Conception) and its feast is celebrated every December 8. The current parish priest is Father Zaldy Fortuno.[1]

History

The town of Los Baños started as a visita of Bay under the Augustinian order with St. Nicolas de Tolentino as titular.[2] In 1590, Franciscans replaced the Augustinians in their missions with Fray Pedro Bautista, later canonized as San Pedro Bautista. He discovered numerous hot springs in the area which locals called Maynit.[3] He created a public bath he called the “Los Baños".[4] 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 Aguas Santas.[5][6] It was brought down by fire in 1727.[6] A temporary chapel was built out of nipa and cane which was later destroyed again by fire.[5][6] A big stone church was built in 1790 by Father Domingo Mateo, OFM in its present site.[6] The belfry, sacristy and tile roofing were supervised by Father Manuel Amat in 1851 and the convent in 1852.[5][6] The convent and bell tower were destroyed during the 1863 earthquake but repairs were made during the administration of Fathers Manuel Rodriguez and Gilberto Martin in 1880.[6] It was also used in World War II as headquarters for the Japanese forces where it was used as a garrison by the Japanese during World War II.

Devotion

The local image of the Virgin Mary under the titular of the Immaculate Conception is known as the Nuestra Señora del Aguas Santas (also Virgin of the Holy Waters).[4] 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.[7] Due to the popular devotion to the Virgin and miracles attributed to her, the church is currently petitioning to become a diocesan shrine.

Notes

  1. ↑ "General Reshuffle: Diocese of San Pablo". The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Huerta 1865, p. 152
  3. ↑ "Laguna's old churches await pilgrims". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 24, 2005.
  4. 1 2 Cinco, Maricar (October 15, 2011). "‘Healing bath’ also a matter of faith". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Huerta 1865, p. 153
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 National Historical Institute 1993, p. 63
  7. ↑ "Los Banos Church". Retrieved June 13, 2014.

Bibliography

Media related to Immaculate Conception Parish Church of Los Baños at Wikimedia Commons

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