After visiting the Santa Catalina Parish in Arayat, Pampanga (Verify: Arayat Church), we’ve got concluded our Pampanga pilgrimage in Apalit. I used to be in awe after I noticed how monumental this church was. The Apalit Church is devoted underneath the patronage of Saint Peter the Apostle who’s referred to in Kapampangan as “Apung Iru”.
The city Apalit bought its title from the Narra Tree which is domestically translated in Kapampangan as “Apalit”. Earlier than the arrival of the Spanish within the sixteenth century, Apalit was already a thriving Kapampangan settlement. Spanish missionaries arrived in Apalit within the late 1500s.
Earlier than turning into an unbiased city, Apalit was initially a part of the huge encomienda of Calumpit, which is now within the province of Bulacan. Calumpit was one of many earliest Spanish mission facilities in Central Luzon, established by Augustinian missionaries within the late 1500s. Resulting from its strategic location alongside the Pampanga River, Apalit was a significant satellite tv for pc group that contributed to Calumpit’s progress by way of agriculture and commerce. Over time, Apalit’s inhabitants elevated and its function within the area grew extra important. Recognizing its potential for additional improvement and efficient governance, the Augustinian friars separated Apalit from Calumpit, and in 1597, it was formally established as a mission territory and unbiased city underneath the patronage of Saint Peter the Apostle.
Like many different church buildings within the nation, the primary church buildings of Apalit had been made of sunshine supplies akin to nipa and bamboo, which had been typical for early mission church buildings. The current stone church was began within the mid-Nineteenth century, largely as a result of efforts of Fr. Antonio Redondo, OSA, an Augustinian friar. He started development of the present church constructing in 1854, and work continued underneath Fr. Toribio Fanjul, OSA, who accomplished the church in 1862.
All through the years, the church underwent a number of restorations and renovations, particularly after being broken by pure disasters. Regardless of modernization, a lot of the unique Spanish-era design has been preserved. The church stays one of many few in Pampanga that also holds onto its colonial grandeur. The San Pedro Apostol Parish Church has lengthy been the religious middle of Apalit. It performs a serious function in organizing non secular actions, catechism, and group outreach. It’s particularly outstanding throughout the Libad Competition, when the picture of St. Peter is taken from the church to the river for the grand fluvial procession, attracting hundreds of devotees.
(The Libad Fluvial Procession : Photograph from Exploring Philippines)
This common conventional fluvial procession known as Libad honouring Saint Peter the Apostle was instituted by Capitán del Pueblo Don Pedro Armayan Espíritu in June of 1844. The occasion contains a vibrant river procession alongside the Pampanga River, the place a centuries-old picture of St. Peter is paraded on a lavishly embellished boat. This celebration attracts hundreds of devotees and guests, showcasing Apalit’s deep Catholic religion and cultural heritage.
San Pedro Apostol Parish Church contains a putting Neo-Renaissance type façade that displays Spanish colonial architectural affect. The very first thing that may catch your eye is its huge and symmetrical facade. This huge facade was constructed primarily with stone and lime mortar, giving it a robust and enduring look. It contains a central arched important entrance, flanked by two arched home windows above, offering each aesthetic stability and air flow to the inside. Whereas the facade is very large, it’s price nothing that in contrast to different church buildings, it’s not closely ornated.
(The dome)
One of the crucial recognizable options is its twin bell towers, located on both aspect of the church facade. This truly jogs my memory of the Baguio Cathedral. Every tower is topped with a dome-like roof and consists of a number of tiers , turning into narrower as they rise.
(The Most important Entrance)
The church is ready inside a spacious plaza complemented by statues, gardens, and the parish convent, which is positioned beside the church. There are additionally statues outdoors depicting Saint Peter receiving the important thing from Jesus.
The inside of the church is much more mesmerizing. The type displays conventional Spanish Neo-Renaissance design, blended with native Filipino craftsmanship.
It has lengthy and spacious nave, excessive ceilings, and thick partitions lined with non secular murals, depicting scenes from the Bible and pictures of saints.
Just like Betis Church in Guagua (Verify: Betis Church), one of the crucial beautiful options is the painted ceiling.
The ceiling artwork work, also referred to as trompe l’oeil, had been finished by a local of Apalit, Marcilino “Siling” Serrano, underneath the supervision of Caesare Alberoni, an Italian free-lance painter.
The beautiful dome of Apalit Church
The principle altar and the sanctuaries are equally beautiful. The design is ornate, painted with white that’s gilded with gold accents, floral motifs, and complex carvings.
The principle altar has two tiers. The higher degree enshrines the picture of Mary Assist of Christians.
Mary Assist of Christians
The decrease area of interest options the picture of Saint Peter (Apung Iru) however the one enshrines right here is completely different from the one they initially use throughout the fluvial procession. Saint Peter is accompanied right here by two Augustinian saints (seemingly San Nicolas de Tolentino and Saint Augustine)
Apung Iru
One of many aspect altars options the picture of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus
The opposite aspect enshrines the picture of Saint Joseph. I additionally love the embellishment on high of every aspect altars that function symbols related to Saint Joseph and the Sacred Coronary heart respectively.
Saint Joseph
You may also spot notable saints being displayed. This consists of the picture of Saint Paul or domestically known as Apung Ambo
San Juan Nepomuceno
There’s additionally a pulpit on the aspect of the church
Choir Loft
San Lorenzo Ruiz
This Put up is a part of my Pampanga Pilgrimage sequence. Be happy to revisit my earlier articles right here
For the meantime, be happy to test my different Pilgrimage Sequence
► Pilgrimage to Bulacan
►Pilgrimage to Tarlac
►Pilgrimage in Bataan
►Pilgrimage in Cavite
►Pilgrimage in Zambales
►Pilgrimage In Manila
►Pilgrimage in Batangas
►Pilgrimage to Pangasinan
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