Immaculate Conception Parish Church, commonly known as Jasaan Church, is a Baroque Roman Catholic church located in Poblacion, Upper Jasaan in Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. The church was declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure in Northern Mindanao due to its artistic design and cultural values.

The church was a provincial attempt to mimic the famous San Ignacio Church of Intramuros in Manila. The Jesuit brothers Francisco Rivera and Juan Cuesta are credited with the construction of the original church.

History The first church of Jasaan was built out of lime from 1723 to 1830 under the supervision of Fr. Ramos Cabas, parish priest in sitio Kabitaugan in barangay Aplaya. The first church is currently in ruins and a "cotta" or fortification is visible on the low hill near the highway. In 1859, Jasaan became the base for evangelical activities among the Manobos in Bukidnon. From Jasaan, missionaries fanned out to areas in Bukidnon now known as Malitbog, Siloo, San Luis, Linabo, and Sumilao. In 1887, Father Juan Herras, a Jesuit, began the construction of the present Immaculate Conception Church. Father Gregorio Parache, S.J., was the parish priest of Jasaan at that time. The construction aimed to mimic the famous San Ignacio Church of Intramuros in Manila.

Due to its cultural and historical value, the National Museum declared the Immaculate Conception Parish Church a National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001.

Priests who served the first church in Jasaan (currently ruins)Parish PriestInclusive DatesNotes Fray Jose Casals, OAR 1834 Fray Manuel de Sta. Rita, OAR 1838 Dom. Vicente de Dolores, OAR 1844-1845 Fray Gregorio Logrono del Ducisimo Nombre de Maria, OAR 1845-1852 Fray Ramon Cabas, OAR 1851 Fray Fernando Ramos de la Encarnacion, OAR 1852 Fray Mateo Bernard, OAR March 1873 – 1877 Fray Benigno Jimenez, OAR July 1882-January 1887 Last priest from the Order of Augustinian-Recollect Fr. Nenesio Llorente, SJ Jan. 26, 1887 - June 25, 1887 First Spanish Jesuit Fr. Pablo Pastells, SJ June 25, 1887 - Oct. 8 - 1887 Fr. Juan Herras, SJ Nov. 1887 - Sept. 1915 Fr. Juan Terricabras, SJ Oct. 18, 1887 - Dec. 19, 1887 Fr. Gregorio Parache, SJ Dec. 19, 1887 - Oct. 22, 1888

Priests who served the Immaculate Conception Parish ChurchParish PriestInclusive DatesNotes Fr. Juan Casellas, SJ Oct. 29, 1888 - Oct. 30, 1888 Fr. Juan Bautista Herras, SJ Oct. 30, 1888 - Sept. 15, 1915 Fr. Jaime Valles, SJ Nov. 1915 - August 1927 Last Spanish Jesuit Priest Fr. Joseph Lucas, SJ March 1927 - Jan. 1930 First American Jesuit PriestFr. John A. Pollocks, SJ Jan. 1930 - 1935 Fr. Vincent de Paul O. Beirne, SJ 1935 - Jan. 1937 Fr. Andrew F. Cervini, SJ Jan. 1937 - Oct. 1938 Fr. Harold Murphy, SJ Oct. 1938 - Oct. 1950 Fr. Clarence Martin, SJ Oct. 1950 - April 1952 Fr. Arthur F. Shea, SJ April 1952 - Jan. 1953 Fr. James S. Collins, SJ Jan. 1953 - Oct. 1957 Fr. Joseph Stoffel, SJ Dec. 1957 - Dec. 1958 Last American Jesuit Priest Fr. Alejandro Mejia, SSJV 1957 - 1975 First Filipino Parish Priest (from the Society of St. John Vianney) Fr. Alfeo Villanueva, SSJV 1975 - 1976 Fr. Bartolome Llenas, SSJV Fr. Elfedio Alilin, SSJV Asst. Fr. Mariano Valmoria, SSJV and Asst.Fr. Diosdado Ladera 1984 - 1985 Fr. Romeo Alavanza, SSJV Asst. Fr. Alfredo Heyrosa, SSJV1985 - 1988 Fr. Pedro Baricutro, SSJVAsst. Fr. Filomeno Cabulosan, SSJV 1988 - 19941992 Fr. Venecio Andohon, SSJV 1993 Fr. Glenn Pimentel, SSJV 1994 Fr. Cesar Ramantin Fr. Rolando Pabella, SSJV 1995-1999 Fr. Allan Chabit, SSJV Asst. Fr. Ramer Colanse, SSJV 1999-2000 Fr. Elcon Magtrayo, SSJV2000-2001 Fr. Cesar Ramantin, SSJV Temporary Assignment Fr. William Salva, SSJV 2001 Fr. Lyndon Zayas, SSJV 2002 Fr. Aurelio Jaranilla, SSJV 2002 Fr. Ismael Scott Escanilla, SSJV 2003 Fr. Ruel Buhisan, SSJV 2004 Fr. Bernard Elvin Simene, SSJV2005 Fr. Ronald Gadrenab, SSJV 2005 Fr. Joe Schwegmann, SSJV 2005 Fr. Filomeno Cabulusan, SSJVAsst. Fr. Ronald Ledesma, SSJV Oct. 17, 2006 - May 31, 2010 Fr. Neil B. Limbaco, SSJV Asst. Fr. Nemecio Pacaña, SJJVJune 1, 2010 - 2013Nov. 2012 - 2013 Fr. Ramer M. Colanse, SSJV June 2013 – present

Architecture The church of Jasaan falls under Barn Style Baroque with originally a tri-partite partition. It spans long and wide. The brick wall on all sides about high and almost thick. The portal area leads to two semi-arched openings to the choir loft area. Vertical articulation is rendered through the shallow piers which divide the areas into three. It is further squeezed to the narrow central portion of the facade. The church is flanked by square towers to a level above the apex of the pediment. Significant church portions includes the original brick paving, neo-Gothic retablo, and ceiling woodwork (reminiscent of basket weave).

The original facade of the church has been modified after a series of renovations. The original altar of the church has been moved backward to allow a larger area for the faithful inside the church building. The original sacristy has been moved to the side.

The church has two bell towers containing four bells in total. The oldest of the four bells is dated 1807 while the largest is cast "." The old church bells of the Immaculate Conception Church of Jasaan (four of them, excluding the one that was transferred to San Agustin Cathedral at Cagayan de Oro) bore these inscriptions around its outer rim: "".

See also List of Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Northern Mindanao Lists of Cultural Properties of the Philippines List of Jesuit sites

References

External links

Culture Profile"Colonial Churches UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Site Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches