Name: Shane R.

Valeriano Code: 414 REED 1033

Proctor: Mr. Dan Anthony G. Anapi

The Story of Our Lady of Pillar Church and Cauayan City

It was September 8, 1739 when a group of Dominican missionaries landed in Turayong, a

barangay of this town which was later named Cauayan. From the very start of their mission
work, the missionaries managed to convert to the Christian Faith some 140 Gaddangs, the
pioneer inhabitants of this city.

It was in the year 1741 when the Dominican authorities, meeting in a general chapter in Manila,
declared this mission of Cauayan a full-fledged parish. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the
Pillar commonly known as the NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILLAR in the old days. The first
vicar of this parish was Fray Antonio Del Ocampo who was at the same time Superior of all the
missions from Cauayan to Bayombong.

The first parish church was constructed by Fray Juan Prieto with the first class materials with
galvanized roofing and a ceiling of bricks. It has a beautiful tower which was later destroyed by
a violent earthquake.

Through the years, the faith of the Gaddangs and other migrants who made Cauayan their home
kept growing. As an indication of said growth, we can see our churches and barangay chapels
filled to capacity on Sundays and Fiestas. Baptisms, marriages and other sacramental rites have
become a serious concern not only of the parish priests but also by parents themselves.
Catechetical instruction in public schools has intensified with the increasing number of
volunteer catechists. In 1956, a Catholic School was founded by Fr. Roque Fidel. Starting from
modest beginnings, it has grown into a big institution offering college and high school courses
now on its way to become the premier university of the region.

The fist parish priest was Fray Pedro Sierra. Until 1912, all parish priests were Spaniards. In
1912, the first Filipino was named parish priest in the person of Fr. Proceso Cortes. He was
followed by Fr. Alvaro Jaramillo, Fr. Rafael Quimpo, Fr. Angel Ranjo, F. Manuel Apostol, Fr.
Teleseforo Cordova, Fr. Federico Pagallaman, Fr. Jesus Gaffud, Fr. Roque fidel, Msgr. Marino
Gatan, Fr. Francisco Uanan, Msgr. Daniel Guiyab, Fr. Dante Mazo, Rev. Fr. Angel Luga and
the rest of the Diocesan Priest have came and left to serve our beloved Our Lady of the Pillar
Parish Church.

Rev. Fr. John Arthur P. Bartolome

Parish Priest
Photo from http://cityofcauayan.gov.ph