St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church (Camaligan)

Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Church, originally known as Camaligan Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is one of the two parish churches of the Archdiocese of Caceres located in the town of Camaligan.^[1] The parish was established in 1795.^[2] The first church structure of Camaligan that was made of stones and woods was burnt in the year 1856.^[3] The current church architecture was only completed in 1857,^[4] a year after the original structure was burnt. The church is considered one of the oldest churches in Camarines Sur that is rich in religious and cultural history,^[5] and a popular spot for Visita Iglesia.^[4]

The church is under the Vicariate of St. John the Evangelist.^[6] As of August 2026, the parish has no parish priest and under the care of Rev Fr. Balbino B. Gumabao as Parish Administrator and Fr. Mario Arnulfo Gaite as Assistant Administrator . ^[7]

History

Camaligan was under the ecclesiastical and civil jurisdiction of Nueva Caceres (now Naga City) for almost two centuries, from year 1578 to 1775.^[2]

In the year 1775, the town became an independent political unit under the administration of Bishop Domingo Ollantes of Nueva Caceres.^[8] However, it was only in 1795 when Fray Rafael Benevente, was appointed parish priest by the Franciscan mission.^[9]

A church made of stones and wooden structures was built, but was burnt in the year 1856.^[3]

A year after the burning of the original church, in 1857, during the term of Fray Juan Ontiveros as parish priest,^[3] the present church structure was completed.^[2] It is said that when this church was built, the real intention of the friars was to wipe out pre-colonial lifestyle and practices of the newly colonized town from looking back to their pre-colonial lifestyle and practices. In fact, the land where the church stands is a former burial ground during pre-colonial times.^[5]

Gallery