Saint Michael The Archangel Parish / Oas Church (Spanish : Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel , Iglesia Catholica de Oas )
Although the earliest Oas Church made of more permanent materials was built in 1825, it did not survive the calamities in the form of a typhoon and volcanic eruption that struck the town. Michael the Archangel Church in Oas, Albay dates back to its latest rebuilding in 1997;
however, the ruins of the early 19th century structure can still be seen inside the church compound. What remains of the old church and baptismal font as well as the rectory showcase the artistry of the early periods of colonial construction and serve as town attractions. Visitors can still make out the inscriptions carved on the intricately designed baptismal font. Michael on the wall of ancient bricks inside the old rectory. Although the early church did not survive, its belfry did. It still stands as solid as when it was first constructed, out of huge stone slabs so carefully laid out you could not insert a thin blade between the rocks. Parish founding
Evangelization in what is now the town of Oas began in 1569 with Fray Baltazar de los Reyes y Miranda of the Order of Friar Minors (OFM). Worship was done in a chapel that Fr. Under the tenure of Fray Geronimo de Aguilar, OFM, a church made of wood was built in 1586. He placed it under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel who would become the town’s patron saint to this day. Fray Geronimo would be credited as the founder of Oas. It was only in 1605, however, that Oas was founded as the St. Michael the Archangel Parish by Franciscan missionaries. It had Fray Marcos de Lisboa as its first pastor. Wood to stone church
The transformation of the wooden church to one of stone started with Fray Francisco de la Anunciacion y Peñaranda, OFM, in 1695. He added stone foundations and a convent. Fray Francisco Aragoneses, OFM, continued Peñaranda’s work starting in 1816. In 1825, a bigger church with rectory was built out of volcanic rocks and bricks. Fray Manuel Brihuega, OFM, put the finishing touches to the buildings in 1848. The church and rectory were unfortunately damaged in a fire in 1866 but were immediately rebuilt that same year. With the help of parishioners, a more massive church of red-orange brick and volcanic rocks, put together with honey, lime, and egg, was constructed. Just two decades later, both these structures were demolished by a strong earthquake and subsequent typhoon. Another church that rose out of the 1884 rubble were again damaged by a typhoon in 1947. Fr. Luis Dimarumba spearheaded efforts to have the structure repaired.
1997 renovation
In 1997, under the dynamic leadership of Msgr. Rolando Diokno, the Oaseños finally realized their dream of coming together for worship in a beautifully renovated church. On May 8, 1997, the fiesta of the patron saint was celebrated with the blessing and inauguration of the renovated church building. While the church’s interior has been modernized, its ancient brick walls not been torn down. The facade though has been radically altered and it is now difficult to determine what has been kept of the original in the structure’s current Gothic and Romanesque appearance. Its remaining ancient structures appear to depict, however, a distinctive baroque style. The old church used to have capiz shells for its window panels. These were destroyed by fire and replaced with stained glass. The bell tower, octagonal in plan, remains largely untouched. It is built apart but connected to the church by a grotto and storage dome. It has two-meter thick walls standing in three tiers and is roofed with a dome
Oas, in the 20th century, held the distinction of producing the highest number of priestly and religious vocations in Albay. During this period, its population, 97% Catholic, grew to over 34,336 from 6,582 families spread all throughout its 60 barangays.
