Immaculate Conception Church, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental

The Immaculate Conception Church (Spanish: ''Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción de María'') is a Baroque church located in Poblacion, Upper Jasaan in Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It was declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure in Northern Mindanao due to its artistic design and cultural values.

The church was a provincial attempt to mimic the famous San Ignacio Church of Intramuros in Manila. The Jesuit brothers Francisco Rivera and Juan Cuesta are credited with the construction of the original church. At present, the church is undergoing repair and restoration pursuant to the National Cultural Heritage Act otherwise known as the "''Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act''".

History

The first church of Jasaan was built out of lime from 1723 to 1830 under the supervision of Fr. Ramos Cabas, parish priest in ''sitio Kabitaugan'' in ''barangay'' ''Aplaya. ''The first church is currently a ruins and a "''cotta''" or fortification is visible on the low hill near the highway. In 1859, Jasaan became the base for evangelical activities among the Manobos in Bukidnon. From Jasaan, missionaries fanned out to areas in Bukidnon now known as Malitbog, Siloo, San Luis, Linabo and Sumilao. In 1887, Father Juan Herras, a Jesuit, began the construction of the present Immaculate Conception Church. Father Gregorio Parache, S.J., was the parish priest of Jasaan at that time. It aims to mimic the famous San Ignacio Church of Intramuros in Manila

Features

The church of Jasaan falls under Barn Style Baroque with originally a tri-partite partition. It spans 150 ft long and 60 ft wide. The brick wall on all sides about 20 ft high and almost 4 ft thick. The portal area leads to two semi-arched openings to the choir loft area. Vertical articulation is rendered through the shallow piers which divide the areas into three. It is further squeezed to the narrow central portion of the facade. The church is flanked by square towers to a level above the apex of the pediment. Significant church portions includes the original brick paving, neo-Gothic retablo, and ceiling woodwork (reminiscent of basket weave).

The original facade of the church has been modified after a series of renovations. The original altar of the church has been moved backward to allow a larger area for the faithful inside the church building. The original sacristy has been moved to the side.

The church has two bell towers containing 4 bells in totality. The oldest of the four bells is dated 1807 while the largest is cast "''Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Jasaan Año 1854''." The old church bells of the Immaculate Conception Church of Jasaan (four of them, excluding the one that was transferred to San Agustin Cathedral at Cagayan de Oro) bore these inscriptions around its outer rim: "''Para El Pueblo de Jasaan 1860''".

Due to its cultural and historical value, the National Museum declared the Immaculate Conception Parish Church a National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001.

Immaculate Conception Church Details and Features 01.JPG, Aisle
Immaculate Conception Church Features and Details 24.JPG, View from the choir loft
Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.jpg, Altar
Immaculate Conception Church Features and Details 29.JPG, Side façade
Immaculate Conception Church garden in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.jpg, Church patio
Immaculate Conception Church Features and Details 36.JPG, Convent

See also

*List of Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Northern Mindanao
*Lists of Cultural Properties of the Philippines
*Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
* List of Jesuit sites

References

External links

Culture Profile"Colonial Churches

UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Site

Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches
{{National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

Roman Catholic churches in Misamis Oriental
Architecture in the Philippines
National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines