Santa Monica Church is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province of Antique located in Hamtic, Antique, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
Hamtic is the oldest territory in Antique under Spanish colonial control and the first capital of the province. The Augustinians arrived and erected a church in 1581 that was placed under the advocation of St. Monica, while the settlement was renamed Antique. In 1596, it became a visita of Ibajay, Aklan.
Because of the lack of priests, it was abandoned by the Christian missionaries. An old church was built in Maybato North near Malandog river and was used as a fortress and a suitable location for a harbor. However, it was destroyed during a Moro raid in the 17th century.
Between 1644 and 1690, it was a visita of Guimbal, Iloilo. It was during the term of Augustinian friar Fr. Hipolito Casiano, OSA, when it became a parish once again and counted Bugasong as its visita. Afterwards, it became a mission station from which priests spread outward to convert the natives to Christianity.
By 1762, the capital was moved to San Jose de Buenavista, which also annexed Hamtic whose status was converted to a barrio. Hamtic became a municipality once more through Executive Order No. 3 issued by President Ramon Magsaysay on January 5, 1954.
Architecture
The portico is supported by colonnade, and it is pierced with arches (that also puncture both the front wall and the towers). Its dimension spans the whole width of the entrance, which is flanked by bell towers.
The higher surface of the facade has a central arch window enclosed with a blind arch, and in between the wall is decorated with rhomboids and the six-pointed Star of David. On the rooftop is a budded cross.
Celebration
The feast of St. Monica is May 4.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Santa Monica Church in Hamtic, Antique from June 9, 2025 to June 15, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Hamtic.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Wednesday
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Sunday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 7:30-8:30 AM (Facebook Live)
- 4:30-5:30 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Santa Monica Church in Hamtic, Antique |
| Address | Tobias Fornier–Anini-y Road corner T. Nava Street, Hamtic, Antique 5715 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | 0965 315 4837 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Diocese | Diocese of San Jose de Antique |
| Vicariate | Southern Vicariate |
| Patron | St. Monica |
| Feast day | May 4 |
Nearby Churches
- Sacred Heart Church in Egaña, Sibalom, Antique
- San Juan de Nepomuceno Church in Anini-y, Antique
- San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish Church in Tobias Fornier, Antique
- Santa Teresa de Avila Church in Casay, Anini-y, Antique
- Sto. Niño de Guinsang-an Church in Hamtic, Antique
References
- Diocese of San Jose de Antique. Retrieved December 29, 2023
- Hantique Igcabuhi. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. October 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2023
- Hamtic. Provincial Government of Antique. Retrieved December 29, 2023
- Executive Order No. 3, s. 1954. Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved December 29, 2023