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St. Anthony of Padua Church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur

St. Anthony of Padua Church is a Baroque Roman Catholic church located in Camaligan, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

History

The name of the town comes from kamalig or a small shed, and the word camaligan means a place where many small sheds are found. Its history is intertwined with Bicol River, a body of water that is the source of irrigation for rice paddies as well as the cause of flood whenever the river swells. Its early inhabitants were called cortadores or woodcutters who brought timber from upland forest down the river.

As Bicol fell under colonial rule in the 16th century, settlements were organized into encomienda that was headed by a Spanish colonizer and to whom tributes of the natives were paid. Camaligan was under Pedro Xaraquemada on May 26, 1627.

After the initial mission by the Augustinians, the Franciscans took over the Christianization of Bicol and remained until the end of the colonial era. They founded a church in Camaligan as a visita of Nueva Caceres (present-day Naga City) although the date of its foundation is not certain.

On June 5, 1775, a petition to the religious authorities were made requesting for a permanent minister to be assigned. It became a parish in the same year with six barrios under its jurisdiction, but Fray Rafael Benevente only took over the church in 1795.

The church was built through labor and material provided by the people in 1857. Egg whites were used combined with lime for the walls and foundation, and the bricks (from ashes, freshwater clams, straw, and clay) were baked in San Mateo. In its earlier form, it was noted for the use of hardwood and its roof were made of anahaw leaves.

Architecture

Renovations done throughout its history have changed some aspects of the church such as the removal of the mezzanine and twin pulpits. However, it retained much of its design from the colonial period. It has red-pink appearance from the use of brick materials.

Its pink-red appearance is from the use of brick materials. The front wall is punctured with arches in its main doorway and windows, the three of which in the intermediate level have glass installation depicting holy figures. On the pediment is a niche.

The bell tower is of modern construction and stands in the epistle side.

Celebration

The feast of St. Anthony of Padua is June 13 and the town celebrates the Kamalig Festival.

Services

The parish office is open 8:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM Monday to Saturday. On Sunday it is open 8:30-11:30 AM.

Mass schedule

Below is the weekly mass schedule of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur 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 Camaligan.

Monday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM

Tuesday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM

Wednesday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM

Thursday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM

Friday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM

Saturday

  • 6:00-7:00 AM
  • 5:00-6:00 PM
  • 5:00-6:00 PM (Barangay Tarosanan)

Sunday

  • 5:00-6:00 AM
  • 7:00-8:00 AM
  • 8:30-9:30 AM (Barangay Marupit)
  • 5:30-6:30 PM

Church information

Details
NameSt. Anthony of Padua Church in Camaligan, Camarines Sur
AddressSto. Domingo, Camaligan, Camarines Sur 4401
CountryPhilippines
Facebookweb.facebook.com
Religion
DenominationRoman Catholic
StatusParish
Declared as parish1795
Age as parish230 years
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres
VicariateVicariate of St. John the Evangelist
PatronSt. Anthony of Padua
Feast dayJune 13
Architecture
Completed1857
Age since completed168 years
StyleBaroque
Tower1

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