About Us

History

FOUNDED 1575

The Convent of Candaba was established on April 30, 1575, and initially annexed to Calumpit under Father Francisco de Ortega. It became a missionary center for the Augustinian Friars, preaching to Arayat and Santa Ana with permission from Bishop Domingo de Salazar. The convent once housed the Estudio de Gramatica school before it moved to Lubao, and later served as a refuge for philosophy students from San Agustin Monastery during the British Occupation of 1762.

By 1591, Candaba likely had parochial structures made of light materials. Father Jose dela Cruz is credited with commissioning the construction of a stone church from 1665 to 1669. The church appears to have largely survived, with no records of significant damage. In 1875, Father Felipe Guevara built a grímpola and belfry, while Father Esteban Ibeas added a dome in 1878. Father Antonio Bravo erected the tower in 1881, installing four Hilario Sunico bells from 1881 to 1890. The convent was enlarged in 1854 by Father Vicente Ferrer and renovated by Fathers Ibeas and Isidro Bernardo in 1878 and 1892.

Some interesting facts about our church’s

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Candaba, Pampanga, Church, 1908 or 1909" Photo courtesy of National Library of the Philippines

The Story and Legacy of Candaba’s San Andres Church

“Little Castilla”

Centuries ago, Candaba impressed the Spaniards with its flourishing economy, earning the nickname “Little Castilla.” The Augustinians claimed Candaba as their house in 1575, appending it to the Calumpit convent with Fray Francisco de Ortega as prior. Its first recognized cura was Fray Francisco Manrique. Bishop Domingo de Salazar made Candaba an important mission center for evangelizing nearby towns like Arayat and Sta. Ana.

“Pisamban Batu”

By 1591, a church of light materials dedicated to San Andres was built, followed by a stone church constructed from 1665 to 1669 under Fray Jose dela Cruz. Fray Felipe Guevara built a grímpola and bell tower in 1875, and Fray Esteban Ibeas added a dome and bells from 1878 to 1881. Fray Antonio Bravo completed the bell tower in 1881, with bells cast by Hilarion Sunico. The stone church (“pisamban batu”) measured 60 meters long, 13 meters wide, and 13 meters high, and the bell tower was repaired in 1890. The parish was transferred to Filipino clergy in 1897, with Padre Eulogio Ocampo as the first Filipino priest.

Although the church was damaged by a typhoon in the 1960s, it was restored later that same year. Today, it showcases a straightforward architectural style characterized by its columns. The church commemorates the feast of San Andres Apostol on November 30.