Atimonan Church - Quezon

Located in Atimonan in the province of Quezon, Atimonan Church also called Our Lady of Angels Parish Church was built sometime in the early 16th century. 

Atimonan Church

Atimonan Church History

Due to the fast-spreading Catholic faith in the country during those times, churches were built hurriedly using materials that were abundant in the area. In the case of Atimonan Church, it could be concluded that the first church was built using wood and stone as the primary material. Ironically, the material used would also be the cause of the first destruction of the church. The church was burnt to the ground in 1640 when the Dutch tried to invade the Philippines.

Atimonan Church - Atimonan, Quezon

The building on the left is actually the residence of the parish priest

Atimonan Church was rebuilt in 1643, this time they added more stone than would to fortify the church and prevent the same thing from happening. Still, the church burned down in 1648.

The Atimonan Church NHI marker

Atimonan Church with its 6-tier bell tower

Atimonan Church was rebuilt again in 1650, this time stone was used as the primary material. It was said that during this time the bell tower was twice the height of the present-day bell tower. Sadly, the church was destroyed again -by an earthquake.

Atimonan Church after the earthquake that toppled its belltower

Atimonan Church at night

The cross in front of Atimonan Church

The present church was constructed sometime between 1687 and 1700. However, it was seriously damaged by an earthquake in 1937 and, worse, bombed during the Second World War damaging it more.

Atimonan Church after World War 2

St. Michael guards the church against the outside

Atimonan Church and its bell tower were reconstructed with the initiation of Rev. Fr. Bonifacio Orejola and were finished by the surviving townspeople a few years later. To date, the church has undergone a number of restoration projects. The church and the nearby Iskong Bantay Watchtower are some of the few remaining Spanish structures left in the province.

Reconstructed  Atimonan Church

Atimonan Church interior

We were able to visit the small chapel and ossuary on the side of the church and here's what we saw...

The giant cross with a giant Christ

Atimonan Church confessional

The former backdrop of the altar cross

The ossuary

What I like most about Atimonan Church are its colorful interior and red-bricked exterior. What makes the church more interesting are the numerous life-size statues of saints and archangels inside and outside of the church. The statues are so numerous that I plan to write a separate blog about them. Aside from that visitors would never miss out on the Sistine Chapel-like ceiling paintings in the church which is really eye-catching.

Near the front door of the church is the old baptismal room. Look for it! It's quite hidden.

Atimonan Church ceiling paintings

Ceiling paintings of the 7 angels in the bible

Aside from admiring the architectural design of Atimonan Church, what I really enjoyed doing is climbing its bell tower. Years ago anyone could visit the tower because the stairway up the bell tower was accessible to the public. This year, when I came back to Atimonan I found out that the staircase leading to the bell tower entrance was removed and the only passage leading to the bell tower requires you to pass through the residence of the parish priest. (Safety reasons I guess.) Still, my cousins and I managed to (with the help of our uncle who's a former Knights of Columbus member of the municipality) enter and pass by the residence of the parish priest to get to the top of the tower.

Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles watching over the town.

My uncle Adonis and the digital bell

Team Nicerio visits Atimonan Church

From the top, one can clearly see the 360-degree view of Atimonan plus the scenic Lamon Bay. You can also see the century-old bells that are now rarely used because of the installed digital bell. Since there's a lot to talk about the church, I decided to come up with another article that would focus on the bell tower and the statues of the saints and archangels of Atimonan Church. You can read more about that HERE.

Atimonan Church Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter Atimonan Church and explore its vicinity.

Atimonan Church Mass Schedule

Sunday: 9AM - 10AM / 6PM - 7PM

Mon-Sat: 9AM -10AM

Why visit Atimonan Church?

Atimonan Church is one of the Spanish-era churches of the province. The well-maintained exterior and the interior are a must-see. Aside from that, it's a must-include destination for pilgrims visiting the province. 

Getting to Atimonan Church:

From Manila, there are several bus lines that ply the route going to Lucena City. From there transfer to one of the minibusses heading to Gumaca. Tell the conductor to drop you off before the diversion road of Atimonan. From there you could rent motorcycles to bring you to the old church.

Ratings

Pilgrim

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