Bangued Cathedral

History

The construction of the big church in Bangued began in 1722 and was completed in 1807. It was about 73 meters long. A spacious convento was built adjoining it. It later became the Sacred Heart of Jesus Academy, which is now the Holy Spirit Academy, a convent for sisters and a school for girls and boys.

In 1861, Bangued was formally inaugurated as a municipality and was proclaimed the capital town of

On March 10, 1945, at 3:00 P.M., some American planes guided by Filipinos dropped incendiary bombs on the capitol, the catholic church and adjoining buildings. Only the church walls, convent and the bell tower of the church were spared. The roof and altar reconstruction, and the electric pipe organ installation started in 1947.

In 1955, the church of Bangued became the cathedral of the then newly established

Church marker

Below is what's written on a marker in front of the cathedral:

"On April 5, 1617, Bangued was created a ministry by the Augustinian friars under the Diocese of Nueva Segovia. This church started construction in 1722 and completed in 1807. On July 25, 1861, the Feast of St. James the Elder, Bangued was proclaimed capital of Abra. After the Philippine Revolution of 1898, the secular clergy took over and in 1920, the Divine Word Missionaries. During World War II, on March 10, 1945, American warplanes bombed the church and the adjoining Colegio del Sagrado Corazon then used as military hospital by Japanese forces. The original altar was destroyed, only the walls and tower remained. In 1947, the Church was reconstructed. On July 25, 1955, it was proclaimed Cathedral when Abra was made Prelature Nullius. In 1976, the Parish handed to the Diocesan clergy."

References