St. Joseph the Worker Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Milaor, Camarines Sur, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The old name of the town was Milaud or May-laud, which means a lowland that is submerged in floodwater. The present-day pueblo is no longer flooded, although some semblance of its origin could be deduced from the presence of fossils of marine creatures such as shells.
During the time of Spanish colonization, the Franciscans reached Milaor in 1579. The church they built was placed under the advocation of St. Joseph the Worker. When it was elevated into a parish in 1585, it was one of the earliest parishes in the Bicol region. Its ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the past included Palestina Church, Gainza Church, Minalabac, and San Fernando. Fr. Matias de Andrade, OFM, was appointed as its first parish priest.
An early church of bricks and stones was built by Fr. Juan del Sacramento and Fr. Jose dela Virgen. It was abandoned because it was subjected to attacks by the natives who opposed Spanish rule (cimarrones) and it stands in ruins today in Cabusao.
The church was moved to the present location. It was built in 1725 and completed during the term of Fr. Santiago de San Pedro de Alcantara in 1735. The convent was built five years later. After both edifices caught fire in 1740, church-building commenced once again. The bell tower was constructed in 1840.
The church was declared a heritage site and the Philippines Historical Committee installed a Level II – historical marker in 1939.
Architecture
The church is made of red bricks and decorated with pilasters ending in statues of holy figures and spires. A white overhang provides shade over the entrance, and it is flanked by narrow windows. The pediment contains a blind rose window and is topped with a cross.
Celebration
The feast of St. Joseph is May 1.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Milaor, 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 Milaor.
Monday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
Tuesday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
Wednesday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
Thursday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
Friday
- 6:30-7:30 AM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Community Mass)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (Sunday Evening Mass)
Sunday
- 5:30-6:30 AM (Community Mass)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (Community Mass)
- 5:30-6:30 PM (Community Mass)
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Joseph the Worker Church in Milaor, Camarines Sur |
| Address | Sto. Domingo, Milaor, Camarines Sur 4413 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (054) 472-1775 |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1579 |
| Age | 446 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Declared as parish | 1585 |
| Age as parish | 440 years |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres |
| Diocese | Diocese of Libmanan |
| Vicariate | St. Joseph the Worker Vicariate |
| Feast day | May 1 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage | Heritage church |
| Completed | 1740 |
| Age since completed | 285 years |
Nearby Churches
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church in Antipolo, Minalabac, Camarines Sur
- Our Lady of Salvation Church in Salingogon, Minalabac, Camarines Sur
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Mataoroc, Minalabac, Camarines Sur
- St. Anthony of Padua Church in San Antonio, Milaor, Camarines Sur
- St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Church in Dalipay, Milaor, Camarines Sur
- Sts. Philip and James the Less Church in Minalabac, Camarines Sur
References
- Parish Priests and Administrators. Diocese of Libmanan. Retrieved July 7, 2024
- Church of Milaor. National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures. October 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2024
- Milaor is one of the religious and historical municipalities in Camarines Sur. Province of Camsur. March 30, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2024