Being a religious city, there is no shortage of churches. However, one stands out as a revered site and is visited by many who come into the area. Behold, the Holy Rosary Parish.
Holy Rosary Parish Church
The Holy Rosary Parish, also known as Santo Rosario Church, currently regarded by the locals as “Pisambang Maragul” (“Big Church”), is found in the very center of Angeles City, in Barangay Santo Rosario. Recently recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as a national historical site, the church stands proudly as one of the most remarkable sites to visit in the city.
Interior of Holy Rosary Parish. (Arceo, 2015). 
Exterior of Holy Rosary Parish. (BrideWorth, n.d.).
The founding families of Angeles City, led by Don Mariano V. Henson, commissioned city planners in the Spanish colonial area and first laid out the church’s foundations on October 18, 1877. It stands as one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city today because of its historical significance relating to how it was built. The church was constructed from 1877 to 1896 by the “Polo y Servicio” labor system, defined as the forced and unpaid labor of the Filipino native people for 40 days per year to all males from 16–65 years old by the Spanish colonial government.
Sadly, the occurrence of a 6.1 magnitude earthquake last April 22, 2019, left deep cracks on the church’s walls and ceiling, exposing its poor, deteriorating conditions. The church then partnered with Escuela Taller to conserve and restore Holy Rosary Parish to its former glory.
Earthquake Aftermath. (Cervantes, 2019). 
Church Repairs. (Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc., 2020).
If you find yourself in the area (Santo Rosario, Angeles City), be sure to visit this church and witness the national, heritage site for yourself.
Angeles City: Home of Guardian Angels 