Saint James the Great Parish, was canonically erected in the year 1609 when the Augustinian Friars took over this mission territory which was earlier entrusted by the Spanish Colonial Government to the Dominican Friars in the year 1594 and left the place in the year 1607 due to the vastness of their mission territories and the scarcity of their missionary members.
The Church tower of Bolinao measuring seventy-five (75) feet was then the tallest in the whole Pangasinan if not in the entire Northern Luzon. However, an earthquake in 1788 toppled about half of it. Then in 1819, the Church Convent was also accidentally burned.
The church was made out of black coral stones. It is in High Renaissance style. One feature of the church is its trefoil arch main door. The overall design of the facade is plain and simple with the super-positioned columns alternating with window openings and tall blind arches conspicuously dominating the ends of the walls.
In front of the church is a marker stating that the first Mass on Philippine soil was celebrated in Bolinao Bay in 1324 by a Franciscan missionary, Blessed Odorico of Pordenone, O.F.M.
In 1974, finally the first priest was ordained in the parish of Bolinao. All the years before as part of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, then in 1985, Bolinao finally became a parish of the newly installed Diocese of Alaminos.
In 2008, the celebration of the 400th Anniversary as a parish was launched. Only one year later, on 7 May 2009 the church was heavily devastated by typhoon Emong. Determined to restore the grandness of its historical edifice, repair and major renovations continued.
In 2014, marked the celebration of the 405 Anniversary, the enhancing of the central and both side apsis of the sanctuary was made.
In 2015, an arc measuring 12m in height, 7m in width, and a thickness of 3m, with 4m high and 7m wide central archway was constructed in the entrance gate of the parish.
Later in 2017, life-sized images of the different patronal saints of the barangays and sitios covered by the Parish were placed on every post of the renovated concrete fence of the church patio. This was followed by the painting of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary on the church ceilings in 2018.
VISION
The community of Saint James the Great Parish journeying together in the spirit of God's love to a Christ-centered participation and involvement in the Holy Eucharist and all other thrusts programs of the Parish.
MISSION
In line with this vision, we wholeheartedly submit ourselves to realize the following objectives:
To be able to set an example for other parishioners to follow for the active participation in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
To provide an atmosphere of opportunities where parishioners could involve themselves in all programs and activities of the church.
To strive to live the Christ's way of life by having a prayerful life with careful consideration on the spirit of readiness and willingness to respond to the needs of the people, especially the poor.
To be able to conduct regular schedules of formations and seminars on the significance of the Holy Eucharist in the life of every individual parishioner, while evangelization in the different barangay continues.
To be able to encourage all parishioners to practice altruism in making available their times, treasures and talents for the infinite glory of God.
To expand and strengthen the functions, duties and responsibilities of all mandated religious organizations and movements; mobilized them to really function according to their respective purposes and objectives for the growth of everybody in the church.
WITH FAITH IN GOD, and proper guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary; through the intercessory power of Saint James the Great; we resolve to achieve these objectives.
SCHEDULE OF LITURGICAL SERVICES
HOLY MASS | SUNDAY • 6:00 A.M., 8:00 A.M., 5:00 P.M. | DAILY • 6:00 A.M.
*Preceded by the recitation of the Holy Rosary
OFFICE HOURS | SUNDAY • 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. | TUESDAY TO SATURDAY • 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M., 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. | MONDAY • DAY OFF
NOTE: NO RELEASING OF CERTIFICATE DURING SUNDAY
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, FUNERAL, CONFESSION, SICK CALL AND BLESSINGS ARE BY APPOINTMENT
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
President: NELSON BELARMA
Vice President: ROLANDO MEDRANO
Secretary: ROSA OLLADO
Treasurer: RIZALINA CAASI
Auditors: LIWANAG OLERMO
CRISTELITA VILLAREAL
PRO's: NOEL GALE
MANOLO CLAVE
BPC Coordinator: PAMELA DUMARAN
REVEREND FATHER WILSON B. RAMIREZ
Parish Priest
20 May 2018 to Present
REVEREND FATHER MANNY C. UNTO
Parochial Vicar
18 September 2020 to Present
MOST REVEREND FIDELIS B. LAYOG, D.D.
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Alaminos
