Sta. Maria Magdalena Church is a 19th century Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The first settlers of the land were natives as well as people who came from Guimaras island across the sea. They were called Tagahigad, which roughly translates to “folks who hailed from the side.” Over time, their settlement began to be called Hinigaran.
Augustinian Recollects began their mission in this part of Negros island in the 1800s. Fr. Jose Maria Pavon, who was the head of the parish in Himamaylan, came to build the church in November 1848. The house of worship, similar to the structures prevalent at that time, was made of nipa and humble building materials.
In 1858, church-building began during the term of Fr. Jose Ma. Martinez, OAR and carried on by Fr. Francisco Ayarra in 1868. The edifice was made of hardwood, stone, bricks, and corral blocks which were sourced from Guimaras, Paticui, and even as far as Palawan.
Its construction was made possible through forced labor. Natives were required to work wage-free for fifteen days each month. They were also required to gather and offer 25 eggs daily to be used towards the lime mixture for masonry.
The administration of the church was transferred to the diocesan clergy at the end of Spanish colonization in 1898. Fr. Melchor Aradanaz was the last Recollect parish priest when he left in December of that year.
The Missionaries of Mill Hill Fathers took over between 1907 and 1914, and afterwards its reins were given back to the diocese.
Architecture
The baroque colonial church of St. Mary Magdalene in Hinigaran stands distinctively for its great bell tower made of deep red brick stones. The tower, erected in the gospel side, is a four-bodied structure topped with an almost conic dome (in reality, a pyramid of octagonal shape) and pierced with arch openings.
The facade meanwhile has rectilinear and arch windows. Its entrance and niche of the patroness are hemmed by pilasters that are decorated with finials. The pediment has a round hollow and culminates in an arch.
Celebration
The feast day of St. Mary Magdalene is every July 22.
Services
Holy Hour is scheduled at 5:00 in the afternoon every Thursday before first Friday of the month.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Sta. Maria Magdalena Church in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental 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 Hinigaran.
Monday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 3:00-4:00 PM (Madeleine Garden)
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
- 5:00-6:00 AM
- 7:00-8:00 AM
- 9:00-10:00 AM
- 4:30-5:30 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sta. Maria Magdalena Church in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental |
| Address | Hinigaran, Negros Occidental 6106 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | 034 391-7796 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1848 |
| Age | 177 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Diocese | Diocese of Bacolod |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of Sta. Maria Magdalena |
| Patron | St. Mary Magdalene |
| Feast day | July 22 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Baroque |
| Tower | 1 |
Nearby Churches
- Mary Help of Christians Quasi-Parish Church in Aranda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental
- Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Miranda, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental
- St. Francis Xavier Quasi-Parish Church in Miranda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
- St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental
- Sta. Helena Quasi-Parish in Paticui, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
References
- Diocese of Bacolod. Retrieved October 10, 2023
- ADSUM Diocese of Bacolod. Retrieved October 10, 2023
- Romanillos, Emmanuel Luis A. (December 31, 2020). Augustinian Recollect Legacy to the Church in Negros Island. Philippine Social Science Journal. Retrieved October 10, 2023
- Century-old Hinigaran Parish Church. Hinigaran. Retrieved October 10, 2023