Information about St Peter & Paul Parish

St Peter & Paul Parish

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish is a Baroque-style church situated in Poblacion, Calasiao, in the province of Pangasinan. It sits between Dagupan City and San Carlos City. It is also known as Calasiao Church, and it is the second oldest church in Pangasinan. In 2001, the church was named a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It is the fifth church to be announced as a National Cultural Treasure. 

The old church was constructed in several stages between the 17th to 19th centuries by the Dominicans. Some parts of the old church have been rebuilt because of earthquakes. The church became Sts. Peter and Paul Parish under Fr. Juan Maldonado de San Pedro Martin as parish priest after 1621. 

The old church has undergone many hardships since its introduction. In 1763, the church was burned by Filipino rebel-hero, Palaris. In 1804, Calasiao built a new church with three naves and a bell tower older than the church itself. But from 1841 to 1842, this establishment was destroyed and reconstructed once again a little later by Fr. Ramon Dalmau in 1852. 

The church is famous for its well-preserved bell tower, original retablos, and complex woodwork at the back. The Calasiao Church exudes a Spanish and Latin American-style facade of bricks and cement integrated with indigenous Philippine works of art in a fusion of Southeast Asian styles. 

It features a Baroque design, intricately painted ceilings, an elevated dome, and a majestic carved exterior preserved for centuries. The massive bricks were designed to take on revolts and rebellions. 

Despite having been damaged by an earthquake and reconstructed to conserve the establishment, the recent work does not depart from its original appearance. Presently, the church houses fully automatic bells or chimes. 

How to get there

The best mode of public transportation is by taking a bus bound for Calasiao, Pangasinan. Tell the driver to drop you off at Poblacion. Once there, ride a tricycle going to the parish.
 

Best time to visit

St Peter & Paul Parish is a religious site open to the public daily.