HISTORICAL LANDMARKS OF MAGSINGAL

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Magsingal is one of the few towns of Ilocandia which can boast of a genuine church built by the Spaniards with the sweat and blood of the townspeople. The present church however, was not the first one to be constructed by them. According to the old people, the first church was a temporary building built by the first cura parruco, an Augustinia friar, Padre Juan Sanches, who arrived in Magsingal on January 10, 1723. In 1730, the construction of the old church ( now Magsingal Museum and Park) was began. It was finished in 1761. During the Ilocos Revolt the church was burned down together with several churches in Ilocos Sur by Diego Silang. The ruins of the church still remain and from this history could be retraced.
The church had three floor sections for social qualification. The front area had bricks and red tiles flooring. It was for the exclusive use of the “Apo Bacnang” who could give money and good breakfast for the Spanish priests. The middle portion and lower elevation was made of wood planks (boards). It was for the regular or middle class. The rear area had the lowest floor elevation and it was all dirt. It was for the “Los Torpes” or the Indios. The ruins have been converted to a park but these sections mentioned are still there.