Genesis of the Roman Catholic Church in the Fifth District of Camarines Sur: Basis for a Supplemental Material in Local History

Abstract

Roman Catholic Church involvement can be seen in all aspects of human activity. It shows how visible the Church gets involved in religious, social, political, cultural, and educational development. This qualitative-historical research was focused on determining how the Roman Catholic Churches in the six (6) Municipalities of the district came into existence. The research was backed up by interviews and observation and analysis of existing related documents. Results of the study showed that most of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the Fifth District of Camarines Sur were built in 1578; made of nipa and bamboo and that all of these Churches were destroyed by fire which resulted to the construction of concrete Churches which have already been improved in the present time. The Roman Catholic Churches in the Fifth District of Camarines Sur which were built during the Spanish period contributed much to the development of the district in terms of Cultural, Social, and political aspects. As a result, a reference material in teaching local History was made to address the dearth of instructional materials in teaching history from grade school to graduate education.