CHURCHES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO: Palo, Abuyog and Burauen Vicariates

The Archdiocese of Palo was created a diocese on November 28, 1937 separating it from the mother diocese of Calbayog.  It was elevated into an archdiocese on November 15, 1982 and erected on February 14, 1983.  The archdiocese comprises thirty one towns and two cities in the civil province of Leyte excluding ten municipalities, six of which in the southwest belong to the Diocese of Maasin and four in the northwest part of the province belong to the Diocese of Naval. Ecclesiastically, the archdiocese is divided into two districts: the Eastern district (the Waray speaking parishes) and the Western district (Cebuano speaking parishes). It is further divided into seven vicariates: five in the eastern district and two in the western district.  At present there are eighty-six parishes and mission stations in the Archdiocese of Palo. 

        I have been documenting the churches of Palo for the past sixteen years and I have witnessed their process of transformation. Many were being renovated, some were being enlarged, others simply being repainted and still others,  especially the newly created mission stations which many have now become parishes were just being constructed. Several churches also were changing their altars from a simple cross to a beautiful gold-leafed retablo, many made of wood and some in concrete. When super typhoon Yolanda devastated the whole Archdiocese on Nov. 8, 2013, many churches were destroyed or had at least their roofing blown away and they had to start rebuilding again. 
  I will be featuring in three posts the parish churches  in the Archdiocese of Palo as they are now and another picture/s in a collage form the changes that many parishes have undergone throughout these years. This first part will show the parish churches of the Vicariates of Palo, Abuyog and Burauen. 

EASTERN LEYTE ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICT

Palo Vicariate

The Transfiguration of Our Lord Metropolitan Cathedral Parish,

Palo, Leyte 6501

Founded: 1596

Feastday: August 6

The Stations of the Cross

The Chapel of the Our Lady of Hope of Palo is situated perpindicular to the right side of the Cathedral main entrance, but the main door of the chapel is at the side entrance going to the Rectory. The statue of the Our Lady of Hope of Palo was made by Willy Layug, depicting Our Lady standing on a globe with strong waves beneath holding the child Jesus who is reaching his hand with a Rosary to a drowning child below. The scenes at the back of the statue depict scenes during the super typhoon Yolanda and the visit of Pope Francis to Leyte.

In 2010 the Palo Cathedral underwent a major renovation in time for the celebration of the Diamond jubilee of the diocese in 2012.  In less than a year after its renovation, super typhoon Yolanda destroyed it. Rebuilding started again afterwards. I will be featuring in another post the process of the renovation, destruction and reconstruction of the Cathedral. 

San Joaquin Parish

 San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte 6501

Founded: 1973

The sidewings of the church was enlarged and got repainted in 2005. It is only one of two churches in the archdiocese of Palo that has Quonset hut roofing. Right after the typhoon Yolanda, the front of the church became a mass graveyard.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish

Pawing, Palo, Leyte 6501

Founded: 2003

When Pawing was created a parish in 2004, the church was already delapidating. But a year later it was repaired and repainted. By 2008 the roof at the side wings was elevated and a new facade was built only to be destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. When it was reconstructed the facade was again enlarged.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish

Libertad, Palo, Leyte 6501

Founded: 2004

When Libertad was created a Mission Station in 2004 it had a very simple altar. By 2007 a new altar with a concrete arched paneling with a stained glass of St. Elizabeth of Hungary at the center replaced the old altar. However, the church was totally destroyed during the Nov. 8, 2013 super typhoon. Starting from a makeshift chapel to celebrate Christmas, a new and bigger church was soon constructed. 

Assumption of our Lady Parish,

Tanauan, Leyte 6502

Founded: 1704 

The church of Tanauan also features beautiful Stations of the Cross in relief. 

The concrete canopy encasing the Patron saint at the altar was remodeled and and got repainted. Paintings at the back and the side walls of the altar were soon added. 

(Photo taken: June 17, 20245) 

Divine Lord and Savior Quasi-Parish

Salvador, Tanauan, Leyte 6502

Founded: 2004

When Salvador was created a Mission Station in 2004 they only had a small barangay chapel. They soon started building a bigger church at the back of the chapel which was destroyed during the 2013 typhoon. Construction of a bigger and more beautiful church started in 2014.

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

Canramos, Tanauan, Leyte 6502

Founded: 2005

Feastday: August 14

Holy Trinity Parish

Alangalang, Leyte 6517

Founded: 1852 

Taken: May 25, 2021

Taken: Dec. 23, 2015

 The altar of Alangalang underwent a number of transformations. The altar table was enlarged and placed down at the footsteps of the altar.  The altar was transformed into semi-circular form with paintings of the evangelists and some saints placed on the back wall divided by arches resting on carved wooden columns. In the middle was also a semi-circular half-dome canopy resting on eight carved wooden columns with a crucifix at the center with the tabernacle at the bottom. The statue of the Holy Trinity was on top just below the half dome. When Yolanda struck, the roof was blown away together with the fiber glass dome. A much beautiful church with the columns gilded in gold leaf came out when reconstruction was finished. 

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Tolosa, Leyte 6503

Founded: 1863

Feastday: May 8

For a number of years the altar of Tolosa was a wood-carved three tiered tall retablo burnished in brown which had a dark feel to it. Two years ago the retablo was gold-leafed and became brighter and the carvings stood out. At present the facade is undergoing transformation. 

 St. Peter the Apostle Parish

Telegrafo, Tolosa, Leyte 6503

Founded: 2007

Feastday: June 29


When Telegrafo was created a mission station in 2007, the church had a low roofing. Then they started renovating the church, making it bigger and higher with a new facade. It was still in the process of being finished when Yolanda struck but it did not suffer much damage.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Pastrana, Leyte 6514

Founded: 1891

Feastday: October 4 

The roof of the church of Pastrana was destroyed by typhoon Yolanda. When they started rebuilding the church, some new niches were created beside the San Damiano cross of St. Francis. Then a new retablo replaced it covering the entire wall of the altar. 

St. Anne Parish

Sta. Fe, Leyte 6513

Founded: 1954

Feastday: July 26

Taken: May 25, 2021

Only the belltower and a few of the walls remained when Yolanda struck. Reconstruction slowly began thinking that some parts of the old church could still be put to use only to be demolished later.  A bigger church with twin bell towers of a semi-gothic type was constructed. 

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Mission Station

Dapdap, Alangalang, Leyte 6517

Founded: 2004

Taken: May 25, 2021

When Dapdap was created a Mission station in 2004 it had a very small chapel which they provisionally enlarged to accommodate more churchgoers. They already started to build a bigger church in the lot that was donated just across the old chapel when Yolanda struck and brought to rubble what was started. Caritas Manila built a small chapel in its place which was later on expanded using the old posts that remained.



St. Teresa of Calcutta Mission Station

Castilla, Palo, Leyte 6517
Founded: 2017

Castilla was building a concrete retablo just before Yolanda came and destroyed the whole chapel with the belfry left only standing. Caritas Manila built the new chapel which in 2017 became the seat of the new Mission Station.

St. Roch Chaplaincy
Arado, Palo, Leyte

When Yolanda struck and destroyed the Chapel of Arado, it was no longer rebuilt in its old location. Instead a new chapel was constructed at the grounds of the Archbishop's Residence which later on was created a Chaplaincy, separate from the Cathedral parish. 

Abuyog Vicariate

St. Francis Xavier Parish

Abuyog, Leyte 6510

Founded: 1716

Feastday: August 29

Photo taken: May 18, 2024

The church has undergone several repainting jobs throughout the years but the altar started to change in 2008 when a new altar table carved with images of saints all around was made complete with gold leaf. Just a few years ago, a new altar retablo was built to replace the simple niche with the crucifix in it.

Alliance of Two Hearts Parish

Balocawehay, Abuyog, Leyte 6510

Founded: 2003

Feastday: Sept 16

When Balocawehay was created a Mission Station in 2003 they had a small chapel situated at the main barangay. An extension of the chapel was built in front to accommodate the increasing churchgoers. Then a bigger church was constructed on a hilly portion just outside of the barangay by 2006.

St. Pedro Calungsod Parish

Sta. Fe, Abuyog, Leyte 6510

Founded: 2004

Feastday: October 23

The parish church of Sta. Fe, Abuyog was also destroyed by typhoon Yolanda. A better church emerged in spite of the narrow space it is occupying.

Our Lady of Refuge Parish

Dulag, Leyte 6505

Founded: 1661

Feastday: September 8

Super typhoon Yolanda destroyed the roofing of the church of Dulag. When they started to rebuild it, a new gold-leafed retablo was made replacing the simple crucifix on a marble wall. The walls inside and outside the church were also replaced with stone slabs which would keep it from being constantly repainted.

St. Joseph Parish

San Jose, Dulag, Leyte 6505

Founded: 1969

Feastday: May 1

The front canopy was just constructed and a retablo made of concrete and a twin belfries were being built when Yolanda came. The crosses at the top of the steeple  and parts of the roof were destroyed. 

St. Isidore Parish

MacArthur, Leyte 6509

Founded: 1949

Feastday: May 15

Photo taken: May 18, 2024

The new fan-shaped church of MacArthur was built in front of the delapidated old church. There was a simple altar with the Risen Christ painted in white at the center. Then a retablo was built with the Risen Christ still at the center. When the ceiling was put in place, two circular stained glass windows were installed on top of the side retablos to cast more natural light into the altar. Later on the retablo was plastered with gold leaf and the Risen Christ replaced with a Crucifix. The latest addition of the church of MacArthur is the tall cross replacing the small cross that was at the top of the fan-shaped church.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish

Mayorga, Leyte 6507

Founded: 1967

Feastday: June 13

 

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Javier, Leyte 6511

Founded: 1967

Feastday: May 28

 

There has been no structural change in the church for the past sixteen years. However, by 2011 all the church pews were replaced for new ones and an altar table and lecterns clad in gold leaf were installed. By 2015 the altar crucifix which was encased in a cross-form niche was embellished with the addition of  a canopy resting on two columns on each side completed in gold leaf.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

Mahaplag, Leyte 6512

Founded: 1967

Feastday: September 29

There has been a number of repaintings done on the church  of Mahaplag and the altar with  the Risen Christ was beautified with gold leaf trimmings including the altar table. 

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Mission Station

Cabacungan, Dulag, Leyte 6505

Founded: 2001

Feastday: July 16 

Taken: May 26, 2021

Taken: Nov. 11, 2017

When Cabacungan was created as a Mission Station, the chapel was right away enlarged by having its roof raised. When Yolanda struck only the walls and the belfry remained. They started using the newly constructed Social hall as their church. It is still in the process of being renovated. New posts have been constructed outside in the process of incorporating the present structure inside the new church.  

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Mission Station

Hampipila, Abuyog, Leyte

Burauen Vicariate

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish

Burauen, Leyte 6516

Founded:1600

Feastday: December 8

The Church of Burauen had its altar first changed to a simple retablo. When Yolanda came, it damaged the roofing. Plans were made to rebuild a bigger and taller church. The roof has been finished including two rows of Milanequese-like spires on both sides of the church. The facade is still being constructed and the old ceiling inside has not yet been demolished to reveal the new higher roof. 

St. Joseph Parish

Dagami, Leyte 6515

Founded: 1710

Feastday: May 27

By 2011 Dagami had a new facade. It did not suffer structural damage during Yolanda except for some blown roof panels. A new choirloft was constructed after and a repainting job of the facade including some gold leafing at the altar was made.

St. Pascual Baylon Parish

Guinarona, Dagami, Leyte 6515

Founded: 1971

Feastday: May 17

The noticeable change from 2004 to 2008 was  not only the change of color of the church facade but also the change of the altar from  a concrete white concrete column niche with the tabernacle at the center to a wooden retablo with the statue of the miraculous patron saint, St. Pascual Baylon encased in glass  on top of the tabernacle. When Yolanda struck the half part of the roof was damaged. The other half of the roof in the main nave  still made of Quonset hut did not suffer any damage. When reconstruction was done, a new belfry was put up to pair it with the right side. A new concrete retablo, altar table and lecterns with gold leafing including new church pews were put in place.

St. Roch Parish

Patoc, Dagami, Leyte 6515

Founded: 1996

Feastday: last Saturday of August

When Patoc was created a Mission Station, reconstruction of the chapel started right away that by 2004 there was already an enlarged church. By 2008, the roofing was demolished to give way to a taller one which by 2012 was already finished. A new wooden altar retablo was created to match the new high ceiling. Then, a new construction of the facade right away took place in 2013 with a rose window  near the pediment.  When Patoc was finally created a parish in 2019 there was already a new belfry on the right side and the retablo was likewise embellished with gold leaf.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish

La Paz, Leyte 6508

Founded: 1918

Feastday: April 28

By 2011 the Church of La Paz was enlarged with the construction of the side wings. Construction of a concrete retablo was soon started replacing the crucifix mounted on  dark tiles as the background.

St. Anne Parish

Sta. Ana, La Paz, Leyte 6508

Founded: 1997

Feastday: July 26

By 2015 a big church was  already being constructed around the old chapel. Services continued inside the small chapel while the construction was going on. By 2017, the old chapel was already demolished to give way to the bigger church.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish

Tabontabon, Leyte 6504

Founded: 1956

Feastday: June 13

When typhoon Yolanda came, the fast deteriorating church of Tabontabon was totally demolished with only its belfry left standing.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) decided that for the twenty churches they helped build in the archdiocese, one totally destroyed church will be chosen to be built by a nationally known construction firm. Tabontabon was the one chosen. A church more than twice its original size was constructed by the DMCI. Since the funds passed through the office, I had to constantly monitor the development of the construction, inspecting it even on bike from Palo. After the church was blessed and consecrated by the CBCP President, then Abp. Villegas, Abp. Du proclaimed the church as the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anthony  in 2016 in order to attract more devotees and pilgrims.

St. Roch Parish,

Julita, Leyte 6506

Founded: 1967

Feastday: August 12

There has been no structural change in the church except that of the altar. 

San Isidro Labrador Mission Station,

Maghubas, Burauen, Leyte 6516

Founded: 2004

Feastday: May 15

When Maghubas was created a Mission Station in 2004 there was only a small barangay chapel. Soon a bigger lot was found near the highway and construction of a new church right away began.