Tayum Church

The Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church (Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Catalina de Alejandría), commonly known as the Tayum Church, is a 19th-century Baroque church located at Brgy. Poblacion, Tayum, Abra, Philippines. The parish church, under the patronage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bangued. The church, together with 25 other Spanish-era churches, was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2001.[1] Its current parish priest is Fr. Roderick Ardaniel, who succeeded Fr. Ruben Valdez.

Tayum Church
Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Catalina de Alejandría
Façade of the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church in Tayum, Abra, Philippines, prior to the July 2022 earthquake
17°37′07″N 120°39′15″E
LocationBrgy. Poblacion, Tayum, Abra
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusParish church
DedicationSaint Catherine of Alexandria
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Cultural treasure
Designated2001
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleBaroque
Completed1803
Demolished2022 (partial due to earthquake)
Specifications
MaterialsBrick, Sand, Gravel, Cement, Steel
Administration
ArchdioceseNueva Segovia
DioceseBangued
Clergy
Bishop(s)Leopoldo Jaucian

Parish history

The church of Tayum, unlike the majority of Spanish-era churches in the country, was founded and built by Secular priests to Christianize the native group Tinguians in the region during the 19th century.[2] Other examples of churches erected by the Secular priests in the Philippines during the above-mentioned era are the Manila Cathedral, Quiapo Church and the San Juan de Dios Church.

Tayum became a visita of Bangued when the Augustinian missionary Fr. Juan de Pareja, OSA founded a number of pueblos in 1626. Later that same year, Fr. de Pareja founded Tayum as an independent mission station. Tayum was established as an independent parish in 1803, under the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (Vigan).

On July 27, 2022, the church was damaged by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of Luzon.[3][4]

Patronage

The parish of Tayum was placed under the patronage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr, whose feast is celebrated on November 25th. However, it is not known when and how St. Catherine of Alexandria came to be chosen as the patroness of the parish.

Architecture

The church is predominantly Baroque in style. Its first level is devoid of any embellishment or fenestration save for the main semicircular arched portal and the wave-like cornices and rounded, high-relief pilasters. A similar motif has been adapted on the second level of the façade, which is pierced by three windows. The center of the softly undulating pediment showcases one blind window encased by pilasters. The curved pediment ends smoothly into two large volutes which seat beside two, large, urn-like finials. The pediment is surmounted by a huge, knob-like finial. To the right of the façade stands the four-tiered bell tower with its rectangular base and octagonal upper levels.[2]

References
  1. Alba, Reinerio. "The Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches". ncca.gov.ph/. National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  2. Galende, Pedro G. (2007). Philippine Church Facades (1st ed.). Manila, Philippines: San Agustin Museum. p. 90. ISBN 978-971-07-2433-8.
  3. "Magnitude-7 Earthquake Hits Philippines' Main Island". Bloomberg.com. 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  4. Sadongdong, Martin (July 27, 2022). "Strong Abra quake damages Vigan Cathedral, Bantay Bell Tower in Ilocos Sur". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
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