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Draft:Narvacan Church

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Narvacan Church
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Santuario Arquidiocesano de Nuestra Senora de Monte Carmelo (Spanish)
Church facade in 2023
LocationNarvacan, Ilocos Sur
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Founded1587
DedicationOur Lady of Mount Carmel
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleBaroque
Specifications
Number of towers1
Bells6
Administration
ArchdioceseNueva Segovia
DeaneryOur Lady of Assumption
Clergy
ArchbishopMarlo Mendoza Peralta
Priest(s)Fr. Ernesto Juarez, Fr. Larry Somera

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, commonly known as Narvacan Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. The church was formerly known as the Saint Lucy the Martyr Parish. It was founded in 1587 by the Augustinian friars.

History

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Church PHC historical marker installed in 1950

The parish is one of the oldest churches in the province dating back from the 16th century. The church is dedicated to Saint Lucy from 1587 until 2017, on where Our Lady of Mount Carmel is declared as the principal patron, replacing Saint Lucy. It was founded in 1587 by the Augustinian friars, dedicating it to Saint Lucy the Martyr, the town's patron saint up to this day. The present church was probably built in 1701, and is a restoration of the 17th century church. A cemetery can be found at the left side of the church. It's visitas, or chapel of eases were Santa Maria, San Esteban, and Santiago; these separated in the 17th and 18th centuries. It also houses an ivory image of the Virgin of Mount Carmel, an image believed to be miraculous and survived the Second World War. The church itself was bombed by American forces during the Second World War but was subsequently rebuilt. The church was elevated into an Archdiocesan Shrine on December 13, 2023, the feast of Saint Lucy.

Architecture

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The church is in Baroque style, with its facade having two levels and three windows with stained glass. A bell tower with three storeys is built at the right side of the church. The retablo, with five niches houses the image of the Virgin Mary, Saint Anthony, Saint Therese, Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod. The side altars were dedicated to Saint Joseph, and Saint Lucy.

The image of the Virgin Mary

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The image of the Virgin, with ivory face and hands is enshrined at the back of the main retablo.

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