The Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church, commonly known as Orion Church, is a 16th-century, Baroque Roman Catholic church located at Brgy. San Vicente, Orion, Bataan, Philippines. The parish church, dedicated to Saint Michael, the Archangel, is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga. A marker bearing the brief history of the structure has been installed in its façade by the National Historical Committee, precursor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The current priest of the parish church is Fr. Abraham SP. Pantig.
| Orion Church | |
|---|---|
| |
 Church facade in 2013 | |
.svg)  Orion Church .svg) Orion Church | |
| 14°37′18″N 120°34′35″E / 14.6215981°N 120.5762655°E | |
| Location | Bataan |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1667 |
| Founder(s) | Father Jose Campomares, OP |
| Dedication | Saint Michael the Archangel |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Church building |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | After 1852 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick, Sand, Stone, Gravel, Cement, Steel, Concrete |
| Administration | |
| Division | Vicariate of St. Michael the Archangel |
| Province | San Fernando |
| Metropolis | San Fernando |
| Archdiocese | San Fernando |
| Diocese | Balanga |
| Parish | Saint Michael the Archangel |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Florentino G. Lavarias |
| Bishop(s) | Sede Vacante |
| Priest(s) | Fr. Abraham SP. Pantig |
Parish and architectural history edit
Orion was established by the Dominican Priests on April 30, 1667. The present-day 19th-century church was built by Father Jose Campomanes, OP after an earthquake in 1852 which destroyed the previous structure.[1]
Architecture and ornamentation edit
Exterior edit
The church façade is of barn-style Baroque, a style that has been described as typically found in most Spanish-era churches in the Philippines. It features side pillars capped by urn-like finials, pilasters that divide the façade into five segments and cornices that divide the expanse of the wall into two levels. The pediment is semi-arched and ends into two small volutes before tapering down to the sides. It is adorned by a framed saint's niche flanked by two hexagonal windows. A concrete porte cochere has been added later into the structure. To the left of the church rises the four-level, slender belfry. The two uppermost levels are octagonal and are pierced with rectangular, circular and semicircular arched campanile windows.[1]
Interior edit
The main altarpiece or retablo, which was done in the early 18th century, is done in Rococo style.[2]
-
Church interior in 2017 -
18th century altarpiece featuring the seven archangels and a tableau of the Holy Family
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Galende, OSA, Pedro (2007). Philippine Church Facades (1st ed.). Manila, Philippines: San Agustin Museum. p. 115. ISBN 9789710724338.
- ^ Noche, Manuel Maximo (2010). Retablo: The Living Shrines of Faith. Makati, Philippines: Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. p. 27. ISBN 978-971-94877-0-8.
External links edit
Media related to Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church (Orion, Bataan) at Wikimedia Commons- Orion Church on Facebook
- Official Website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga
