Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church, commonly known as Hermosa Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Hermosa, Bataan, Philippines. The church is Hermosa's cultural treasure. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Balanga (Vicariates of Saint Peter Verona and Our Lady, Mirror of Justice).[1][2][3][4]
| Hermosa Church | |
|---|---|
| Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church | |
Parokya ng San Pedro Martir de Verona (Filipino) | |
 Church facade in 2013 | |
.svg)  Hermosa Church Location in Luzon .svg) Hermosa Church Location in the Philippines | |
| 14°49′48.07″N 120°30′28.58″E / 14.8300194°N 120.5079389°E | |
| Location | Hermosa, Bataan |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Peter of Verona |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Historical Landmark |
| Designated | 1939 |
| Architectural type | Church building |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | 1717 |
| Administration | |
| Division | Vicariate of St. Peter Verona Vicariate of Our Lady, Mirror of Justice |
| Province | San Fernando |
| Metropolis | San Fernando |
| Archdiocese | San Fernando |
| Diocese | Balanga |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Florentino G. Lavarias |
| Bishop(s) | Sede Vacante |
| Priest(s) | Ernesto B. De Leon |
History
editHermosa, known as "Llana Hermosa" belonged formerly to Orani (composed of Mabuyan and Maboco). It became an independent missionary Pueblo in 1717. In the British invasion of Manila, the Dominicans held there its provincial chapters in 1763. The church was destroyed by fire several times. Residents of Hermosa found a boat with a statue of a saint inside it along the river.
Saint Peter of Verona, O.P. (1206 – April 6, 1252), also known as "Saint Peter Martyr", was a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest, Dominican friar and a celebrated preacher. He became the patron of this town.[5]
Established in 1717, the church features a baroque-style façade, with a belfry on the topmost portion of the church.[6][7] At the façade's center is stained-glass window depicting Saint Peter of Verona, a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest.[7]
Folklore
editAccording to a local folklore, the people of Hermosa found a broken boat near Almacen River and inside the boat was an image that was identified to be Saint Peter of Verona with a large knife wedged on his head. The image was enshrined in Hermosa Church and Peter of Verona was then selected as the patron saint.[8]
Structure
editThe church features a baroque-style façade with stained-glasses windows. The major retablo of Hermosa is made more attractive by the variations of saints placed in it amid its dome. The church brings remembrance of the colonial past.[9]
Designation
editThe National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared the church a national historical landmark in 1939.[10]
Gallery
edit-
Dome -
Church interior in 2012 -
References
edit- ^ "The Official Website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga (v2013)". Balangadiocese.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Diocese of Balanga; Parishes and Parochial Clergy". Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Diocese of Balanga; Parishes". Catholic News Asia. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Diocese of Balanga". Claretian Publications. UP Village Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Discover Bataan Peninsula". Mybataan.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Bataan Pilgrimage Tour : Saint Peter of Verona Parish in Hermosa Bataan - It's Me Bluedreamer!". August 2, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "7 Best Churches in Bataan [Itinerary for Visita Iglesia in Bataan]". Two Monkeys Travel Group. January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "Saint Peter Martyr of Verona Parish Church". Philippine Faith and Heritage Tours. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "St. Peter of Verona Parish Church in Hermosa - Discover Central Luzon". Centralluzon.com. June 17, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Church of Hermosa". National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church (Hermosa, Bataan) at Wikimedia Commons- Hermosa Church on Facebook
