Our Lady of the Assumption Church is a Roman Catholic and Marian in Lavezares, Northern Samar, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The old name of the town was Pinonayan which came from ponay (wild pigeons) and the river (previously called Sabang River) along which the first settlement was located. The first few settlers were from nearby lands and as far as from the Bicol region.
Formerly belonging to the town of La Granjia (Allen), it separated and became a town through a decreto superior issued by Spanish Governor General Jose Malcampo y Monje on January 7, 1875. The Spanish monarchy approved the creation of the pueblo through a a cedulario on November 26, 1878. The inauguration took place in 1881 It was named after Guido de Lavezares who was the Governor General between 1572 and 1575. The first governadorcillo was Silvino Flores who served between 1875 and 1880.
Its church was erected by the Franciscans, speaheaded by Fr. Eustaquio Paniaqua. It was a visita of La Granja, and it was constructed along with a court house where a permanently assigned priest could live. It was made into a parish in 1895 with Fr. Severino Paramo as the first parish priest.
The church was destroyed with the coming of the American colonizers in the 20th century. It was not restored until after the war when Fr. Fortunato Planea began to gather humble building materials for a provisionary church. Church-building of present-day house of worship was started by Fr. Pablo O. Lanuevo on April 1957. Its design was made by Engineer Juan Urbano.
On August 22, 2020, the Lavezares Parish Museum was inaugurated by Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Angel T. Hobayan, D.D. It is recognized as the “the first-ever repository of religious and faith riches in Northern Samar.”
On September 8, 2022, Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance, D.D. issued a decree establishing the “Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Historical and Ecclesiastical Museum as the Lavezares Parish Museum and a Diocesan Cultural Heritage Structure.”
Architecture
The stone ruins of the old church stands in an open field with a cross, marker, and church bell. The present-day church is flanked by twin bell towers, which begin with quadrangular base giving way to octagonal belfries. Interestingly, another church tower is built separately in the gospel side.
The facade consists of portico of stout pillars whose archway features the Marian symbol. In its upper register, the image of the patroness is flanked by pilasters. On the pediment is a blind rose window with the Christ monogram.
Celebration
The feast day of Our Lady of the Assumption initially was August 16 and moved to August 22 in time for the festivity of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion. Simultaneously, the town celebrates the Talutang Festival.
The town also celebrates the Pinonayan Festival in time for the fest of Sto. Niño every third Sunday of January.
Services
The parish office is open 8:00-11:00 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM from Monday to Saturday.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Lavezares, Northern Samar 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 Lavezares.
Monday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Tuesday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Wednesday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Thursday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Friday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Saturday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
Sunday
- 5:00-6:00 AM
- 7:30-8:30 AM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Lavezares, Northern Samar |
| Address | Asuncion Street, Barangay Caragas, Lavezares, Northern Samar 6404 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | 0948-2319697, 0906-0493458 |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1895 |
| Age | 130 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo |
| Diocese | Diocese of Catarman |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of Immaculate Conception |
| Patron | Our Lady of the Assumption |
| Feast day | August 22 |
| Architecture | |
| Builder | Fr. Fortunato Planea |
| Tower | 3 |
Nearby Churches
- Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in San Isidro, Northern Samar
- San Vicente Ferrer Mission Center in San Vicente, Northern Samar
- St. Anne Church in Victoria, Northern Samar
- St. Anthony of Padua Church in San Antonio, Northern Samar
- St. James the Greater Church in Allen, Northern Samar
- St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Biri, Northern Samar
References
- Roel T. Amazona. Provincial board honors peace workers, Church for their peace initiatives and culture preservation. Leyte Samar Daily Express. October 10, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2024
- The Nine Jubilee Churches and the Brief history of the Diocese of Catarman. Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Historical and Ecclesiastical Museum. August 19, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2024
- Rodel Cuyco. History of Lavezares. ResearchGate. December 2023. Retrieved May 26, 024
- Decree on the Establishment of Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Historical and Ecclesiastical Museum as the Lavezares Parish Museum and a Diocesan Cultural Heritage Structure. Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Historical and Ecclesiastical Museum. September 8, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2024