Monday, October 11, 2010

Bacon, Sorsogon: The Annunciation Parish Church

Old Poblacion of Bacon District, Sorsogon
by lakwatserong tatay

 Later afternoon, after spending halfday to Paguriran Island, were now heading in the town of Irosin, Sorsogon. But before getting to this town and spend the rest of the day. We passed by the city of Bacon District, and saw this one of a kind church. Yours truly is really fascinated when it comes to church specially, if it is part of history. By seeing the front of this church made me confused because it is not like as i have seen. It is has a newly painted front facade. But it's belfry will testify how it was really old. So after all of those confusion, together with my fellow xplorers, we enter the church and got really amazed with church altar ceiling paintings.

Here is a brief history of Bacon:

After the conversion to Christianity and adhesions to the Spanish Government of the natives settling on the southeastern end of the Bicol Peninsula, then known as Casiguran, a missionary settlement was established in 1600. This territory extends from the central part of the present site of the province of Sorsogon to the shores of the Pacific on its northern boundary.

In 1609, Rev. Fr. Felix Huertas, the missionary administrator of Casiguran, zealous in his duties towards his “flock”, visited the valley on the northern part of this territory wherein he found, on and near the shores an abundant growth of native plants called “Bacong”*. It was this missionary father who gave the name Bacong to this place after the name of these plants. To make the pronunciation easy and smooth, the g at the end was discarded by the Spaniards who came later. The name has been pronounced and written as Bacon since then.

Bacon became a Separate Missionary Parish:


In the year 1617, the Visita de Bacon ceased to be a part of her mother town, Casiguran. A separate missionary parish or pueblo was established here under the Roman Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Antonio de San Francisco, its founder, as the first minister of the church.

With the natives to supply both labor and materials, the first place of worship was constructed under the direction of the missionary father. The church was dedicated to the Ntra. Sra. De La Anunciacion, the patron saint of the place to this day.

The Administration of the Parish of Bacon Given to Filipino Clergy:

After a constructive leadership and tutorship for about one hundred seventy seven years (1617-1794) the Franciscan fathers left the administration of the parish of Bacon to the Filipino clergy. Rev. Fr. Rafael Benavente, in representation of the Franciscan Order, handed the parish to the first Filipino priest to head it, Rev. Fr. Pedro Licup, in July, 1794.
The Parish Church of Annunciation, Bacon, Sorsogon
Above it's Church facade is an verse from John 14:6, which reads "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. You can find this words saying...."Ego Sum Via. Veritas et Vita." "In English: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." And Church left side is Annunciation's Church historic belfry.

I am the way, the truth, and the life.....
Church's Belfry

Church Altar

The Crucifix at the center of it's Altar
 

The Risen Christ & Glory of Heaven
The paintings above the dome of church altars that corresponds with our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit & Angels & next one on right side is our God the father receives workship from angels carrying the censer.


The paintings above the Church's Altar

Differents saints and angels are present inside the church. Below are some of the saints that can be seen inside this church on leftside is the Holy Family, and right side below is Madonna & Childe w/ St. Jude Thaddeus & St. Therese of the Child Jesus, lower part left side is one of the 4 angels guarding the main altar, and lower right side is the Patroness: Our Lady of the Annunciation.

The saints besides the Church Altar


The Angel & Our Lady of the Annunciation

There is another altar inside the church, maybe this used for it baptismal area, or for some of it's church followers.

The Altar of the Blessed Sacrament

One of the angels guarding this altar.

Church Center Isle

Church's Candle Stand for Prayers in side of the Church

Ten Commandments in Bicol Language

Statue of St. Francis of Assisi

I'm really glad to know more the tracies of the Churches of Sorsogon, that is really part of our history, with it regards to us being christians, and giving me the opportunity to take some photos of this old and very beautiful churches here in Sorsogon.

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