Saints Peter and Paul Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Paranas, Samar, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The settlement in Paranas is believed to have existed before the Spanish times. It was allocated as an encomienda to Andres de Luca in 1571 and then the Jesuits arrived in Tinago (Tarangnan), Samar in 1596. It is not known when the Jesuits reached Paranas.
Paranas became a town in 1625, and its church which started as a visita of Tinago became a parish in 1629. In a historical record written in 1655, it had four priests: Fr. Melchor de los Reyes, Fr. Baltazar de Porticela, Fr. Ignacio Francisco Alcina, and Fr. Matias Montemayor.
After their expulsion in 1768, the Franciscans took over, installing Fr. Miguel Rico to the parish. An early church built by the Jesuits was destroyed by fire, possibly from a Moro attack, and the reconstructed church again was caught in flames in 1835.
In 1851, Franciscan priest Fr. Leon Tellez de Tembleque built a stone church, tribunal, convent, and school. During the Philippine Revolution, the Franciscans left (Fr. Jose de Olmo was the last Franciscan priest) and the parish community was turned over to the secular clergy. Unfortunately, the church, convent, and cemetery were burned during the American occupation.
The town was renamed Wright after the visit of first American Governor General Luke E. Wright. In 1903, it absorbed the municipalities of Motiong and San Sebastian pursuant to Act No. 960 on October 23, 1903. Motiong separated and became an independent town once again on June 16, 1948 and San Sebastian on June 17, 1950.
The name of the town was reverted to Paranas after the passage of Republic Act No. 6681 on November 4, 1988.
Architecture
The church is undergoing construction improvements as of writing. Spanish-era masonry can be seen on its nave walls. Its quadrangular bell tower is in the gospel side, while its facade is not overly decorated. Its pilasters have decorative plinths, and it is pierced with arch and rose apertures.
Celebration
The feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul is June 29 and the town celebrates the Bagolan Festival.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Paranas, Samar from May 5, 2025 to May 11, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Paranas.
Monday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Tuesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Wednesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Thursday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Friday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Saturday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Sunday
- 8:00-9:00 AM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Saints Peter and Paul Church in Paranas, Samar |
| Address | Paranas, Samar 6703 |
| Country | Philippines |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1629 |
| Age | 396 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo |
| Diocese | Diocese of Calbayog |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. Pius X |
| Patron | St. Peter, St. Paul |
| Feast day | June 29 |
Nearby Churches
- Our Lady of Annunciation Church in Calbiga, Samar
- Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Pinabacdao, Samar
- St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bagacay-Cansolabao, Hinabangan, Samar
- St. Joseph Church in Hinabangan, Samar
- St. Michael the Archangel Church in San Sebastian, Samar
References
- The History of the Parish and Town of Paranas. Academia. Retrieved May 13, 2024
- Act No. 960, October 23, 1903. Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library. Retrieved May 12, 2024
- REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6681, November 04, 1988. Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library. Retrieved May 12, 2024