San Jose Matulid Chapel

The San Jose Matulid Chapel is an undated Roman Catholic chapel found at Barangay San Jose Matulid, Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines. It is believed to be the first church of the town before the Augustinian Friars transferred to the present-day townsite of Mexico, Pampanga or now known as Barangay Parian.[1]

San Jose Matulid Chapel
Church facade in 2010
Map
15°02′36″N 120°43′03″E / 15.04347°N 120.71756°E / 15.04347; 120.71756
LocationSan Jose Matulid, Mexico, Pampanga
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChapel
StyleBaroque
Specifications
MaterialsSand, gravel, cement, mortar, steel
Administration
ProvinceEcclesiastical Province of San Fernando
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando

History edit

The San Jose Matulid chapel, located southwest of the town center at Barangay San Jose Matulid, is believed to be the oldest chapel of its kind in the entire Pampanga province. Its site is also believed to be the first settlement established by the missionary friars upon their arrival into the area before transferring to its present site at Barangay Parian due to the constant flooding of the a nearby creek called Sapang Matulid. No available records tell of the exact date of construction of the chapel.[2][3][4]

Architecture edit

 
Church altar in 2015

The chapel's façade is adorned by couples of Tuscan pillars reaching into its apex. The central portion then expands horizontally with two unadorned walls with semicircular arch windows. The façade is topped by a wood and galvanized iron belfry. One of its two bells was reportedly stolen. Notable features of the chapel's interior are the ceiling art located above the main altar.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "History of Mexico, Pampanga". www.mexicopampanga.gov.ph. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Attractions: San Jose Matulid Chapel". www.mexicopampanga.gov.ph. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  3. ^ "The Rivers That Shaped San Fernando and Angeles" (PDF). www.hau.edu.ph. Holy Angel University - Center for Kapampangan Studies. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Tara Na sa Mexico, Pampanga". www.vigattintourism.com. Retrieved 14 November 2014.

External links edit