San Nicolas Tolentino Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the town of Isabela, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Its patron is St. Nicholas of Tolentino.
Table of Contents
History
Isabela began as a settlement in Tinungan (present-day Barangay Tinogan) which was part of Inabagan, a community founded along the coast. Fr. Agustin Olmedillas, OAR, and his assistant Fr. Fernando Cuenca reached the village of Tinungan and preached to the natives. They built a church made of humble construction materials. When Himamaylan was elevated into a parish in 1798, the church in Tinungan was made into one of its visita.
The Augustinian Recollects began spread the Catholic faith in the whole island of Negros in earnest beginning in 1848 with the expressed support of provincial governor of Negros, Manuel Valdivieso Morchecho.
However, the church was abandoned for it was prone to recurring flood from the nearby river. Fr. Agustin Silva moved the place of worship to the present location which was then called Manacup. In 1861, it separated from Himamaylan and became a parish with Fr. Pedro Echevarria, OAR, was its first parish priest.
It was during the term of Fr. Vicente Abrego (1877 to 1882) that the entire population of Tinungan was transferred completely. Meanwhile, Fr. Mariano Lasa, who was the parish priest between 1887 and 1898, oversaw the construction of many of the colonial-era structures such as the church, convent, municipal building, and cemetery. He also established a school and drew the lay-out of the town.
The town was later renamed after Queen Isabela II, the queen of Spain between 1833 and 1868.
After the Recollects, the Columban Fathers took over. Much later, the administration of the church was given to the diocesan clergy.
Architecture
The church has a spare, clean sweep. Its distinctive feature is the deep-red arch of the main portal that leads to the interiors, as well as the twin bell towers pierced with narrow arc windows. On the pediment is a crucifix flanked by holy figures.
Celebration
The feast day of St. Nicholas of Tolentino is September 10.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Isabela, Negros Occidental from May 12, 2025 to May 18, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Isabela.
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
- 4:30-5:30 PM (Anticipated Mass)
Sunday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 7:30-8:30 AM
- 4:30-5:30 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Isabela, Negros Occidental |
| Address | Regalado St., Isabela, Negros Occidental 6128 |
| Country | Philippines |
| stnicolasisabela@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1861 |
| Age | 164 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Diocese | Diocese of Kabankalan |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of Isabela |
| Patron | St. Nicholas of Tolentino |
| Feast day | September 10 |
| Architecture | |
| Tower | 2 |
Nearby Churches
- Parokya ni San Blas in Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental
- Parroquia De Nuestra Señora De Salvacion in Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental
- San Isidro Labrador Church in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental
- Shrine of St. Vicente Ferrer in La Castellana, Negros Occidental
References
- Vicariate Directory. Diocese of Kabankalan. Retrieved November 20, 2023
- Emmanuel Luis A. Romanillos. A History of the Parish of Talisay City (Neg. Occ.) from 1850 to the 1990s. Recollectio 40-2 (2017), pages 909 938. Retrieved November 20, 2023
- History of Municipality of Isabela, Negros Occidental. Sun Star Bacolod. May 8, 2023