Namacpacan Church
| Namacpacan Church | |
|---|---|
| Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Catalina de Alejandría |
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The facade of Santa Catalina de Alejandria Parish Church
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.svg)
 Namacpacan Church
Location within the Philippines
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| 16°51′12″N 120°22′35″E / 16.853333°N 120.376389°ECoordinates: 16°51′12″N 120°22′35″E / 16.853333°N 120.376389°E | |
| Location | Brgy. Victoria, Luna |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1690 |
| Dedication | Saint Catherine of Alexandria |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Cultural Treasure |
| Architectural type | Church building |
| Style | Earthquake Baroque |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Lingayen-Dagupan |
| Diocese | San Fernando de La Union |
| Province | Lingayen-Dagupan |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Socrates B. Villegas |
| Bishop(s) | Rodolfo Fontiveros Beltran |
The Namacpacan Church also known as the Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Luna (formerly Namacpacan), La Union, Philippines under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union. Formerly called as Luna Church, the church is placed under the advocacy Saint Catherine of Alexandria in 1690 and known for its devotion to the Our Lady of Namacpacan.
The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Since 1587, Namacpacan was a visita of Purao (presently known as Balaoan). In November 25, 1690, the town was founded and a parish under the advocacy of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was canonically erected. The first church of Namacpacan was built under the supervision of Father Mateo Bustillos, the parish priest from 1695 to 1697. The original site of the church was in Darigayos, a barrio of Namacpacan and was transferred in 1741 to its present site. The image of the Our Lady of Namacpacan was enshrined in the church in 1871.
The church was reinforced with masonry and galvanized iron roof. It was heavily destroyed by an earthquake in 1854. Through the efforts of Father Marcelino Ceballes, the church was restored and the convent was widened in 1876.
Like other Philippine churches built in earthquake-prone areas, Namacpacan Church is classified as an Earthquake Baroque church with thick walls and buttresses connected to a brick exterior stairway of different designs and shapes. A ceremonial archway or capilla possa can be found at the church's entrance. Its 1872 white and yellow facade falls under the Baroque style with the presence of rounded pediments. Three sets of two pairs of engaged columns and two sets of single columns along with twin belfries adorning the façade. A wooden altar, Spanish-era stone pulpit and a wood relief of the Baptism of Christ, probably polychromed, can be found inside the church.
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