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FIRST ABUCAY CATHOLIC CHURCH
(Town Plaza,Abucay)
Built
by Father Geronimo de Belen in the early 1600’s. It was burned in 1870
and rebuilt by Father Jose Diego Pelaez. The Spiritual Ministration of
Abucay was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1588. A fierce battle
between the Dutch and the Pampango Defenders was fought in this court
on June 23, 1647. Nearly two hundred Pampangos were put to death and
forty others together with the Spanish Alcalde Mayor of Pampanga, Don
Antonio de Cabrera, Father Geronimo Sotomayor and Father Tomas Ramos
were taken to Batavia on June 23, 1647. The present church was badly
damage by the earthquake of September 16, 1852. One of the earliest
printing presses in the Philippines was operated in this town as early
as 1610 where Father Jose Blancas de San Jose and Juan Vera taught
Tomas Pinpin the rigors of writing and printing. This is also the seat
of the Partido de Bataan until Balanga became the town and seat of
government. The bells donated in 1839/1859 are still housed in this
church. |