Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, also called St. John the Baptist Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Daet, Camarines Norte, Philippines. Established in 1581, it is the oldest church founded in the Diocese of Daet.
Table of Contents
History
The Spaniards colonized Bicol at the beginning of the conquest and introduced Christianity to the natives through the mission of the Augustinian priest Fray Alonso Jimenez, OSA, in 1569. The swath of land that is now known as Camarines (taken from “camarin” or rice granary) was then a vast wilderness. Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo first explored what would become the towns of Camarines Norte Mambulao and Tayabas in 1571.
When the Franciscans came to the town of Daet—whose name is taken from “daet” or “taid” which referred to the way settlement consisted of huts were clustered together for protection—in the 16th century, they established the church under the titular St. John the Baptist in 1581. However, the mission was abandoned because of the lack of ministers to tend to the flock. After the mission was resumed, it was elevated into a parish with Fray Alfonso Valdemoro as the first parish priest in 1611.
The Franciscans handed over the administration of the parish to the secular clergy in the 17th century, a change that was met with opposition from both the clergy and the townspeople. However, the secular clergy remained until the 19th century.
Early accounts of its humble church described that it was made of wood. In 1790, a note from Bishop Domingo Collantes mentioned that it was “spacious with good doors and keys”. Similar building materials were also observed with the rectory. Plans were underway to rebuild the place of worship to one that is made of stone.
In post-war years, the property on which the church was located was donated by Jose R. Abaño and Concepcion R. Fonacier to the Archdiocese of Caceres in 1911.
On May 27, 1974, the Diocese of Daet was established through Pope Paul VI’s “Requirit Maximopere”. It was canonically erected on September 1, 1974 and Msgr. Cellestino R. Enverga, D.D. was installed as its first bishop. Its ecclesiastical jurisdiction comprised the whole province of Camarines Norte.
The cathedral church was constructed during the time of Msgr. Antonino O. Reganit. When the Diocese of Daet was established, construction continued up to its consecration by Archbishop Jose T. Sanchez of the Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres on September 1, 1984. In 1991, the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral was instituted as its own parish.
The church underwent several improvement throughout its history, particularly during the time of Fr. Salvador Naz in 1973.
Architecture
The church has been rebuilt and modernized that its colonial traces have been lost excepts its overall form. Its facade features four pilasters, each adorned with crosses, garlands, floral wreaths and bas relief. Its wall is pierced with pointed arches, while above the main entrance is a lunette of stained glass window depicting the patron. On the pediment is a beautiful white rose window circumscribing a crucifix.
Services
The parish office is open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM daily.
Confession is scheduled 6:30 to 7:30 AM after the mass and 4:30 PM before the mass from Monday to Friday.
On Saturday, it is scheduled 6:30 to 7:30 AM after the mass.
Holy Hour is observed at 6:00 PM after the mass every first Friday of the month.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Parroquia de San Juan Bautista in Daet, Camarines Norte from June 16, 2025 to June 22, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Daet.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 12:00-1:00 PM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 12:00-1:00 PM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 12:00-1:00 PM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 12:00-1:00 PM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 12:00-1:00 PM
- 5:15-6:15 PM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 6:00-6:00 PM
Sunday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
- 8:00-9:00 AM
- 9:30-10:30 AM
- 3:00-4:00 PM
- 4:30-5:30 PM
- 6:00-7:00 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Parroquia de San Juan Bautista in Daet, Camarines Norte |
| Address | F. Pimentel Ave, Daet, Camarines Norte |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | 0907 200 3751 |
| acctgsjbp1611@gmail.com | |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Founder | Franciscans |
| Established | 1581 |
| Age | 444 years |
| Declared as parish | 1611 |
| Age as parish | 414 years |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres |
| Diocese | Diocese of Daet |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. John the Baptist |
| Patron | St. John the Baptist |
Nearby Churches
References
- Daryl I. Quinito, Marilou D. Tino. Unfolding the History of the Quadricentennial Roman Catholic Churches in the Province of Camarines Norte. RSS International. Published March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2025
- Parishes. Diocese of Daet. Retrieved via Archives.org on June 8, 2025
- Diocese of Daet: Through the Years. Diocese of Daet. Retrieved via Archives.org on June 8, 2025
- History. Archdiocese of Caceres. Retrieved June 8, 2025
- Daryl I. Quinito, Marilou D. Tino. Unfolding the History of the Quadricentennial Roman Catholic Churches in the Province of Camarines Norte. RSS International. Published March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2025
- St. Most Holy Trinity Cathedral (Daet, Camarines Norte). Museo Bulawan. Retrieved June 8, 2025
- St. John the Baptist Church (Daet, Camarines Norte). Museo Bulawan. Retrieved June 8, 2025