POSTCARD from the FUTURE of the LAVEZARES Dream Church

As a fitting testament to the deep devotion to God and veneration to Mama Mary, the people of Lavezares are set to embark on yet another spiritual journey as a pilgrim church – that of improving while preserving their focal point of liturgical celebrations from the legacies built by its forebears.

Guided by the genius masterful hand of its native son Architect Jun Adriatico, the soon-to-rise redesigned church building is set to change the religious experience of the faithful in the next succeeding years and even in the centuries to come thru the use of enduring classical artistic forms and styles that evoke the divine made tangible.

The journey of building the Lavezares church dates back to as early as the late 19^th century. In his memoir, the first priest of Lavezares, Fr. Severino Paramo described the old church as built with “magnificent and exquisite beauty.” However, this church did not last long as it was burned down to ashes during the Filipino-American War. What remains of it are the old brick stones of what used to be the altar wall which are now slowly breaking apart as roots of trees continue to creep inside its piles of moss-covered smooth coral stones.

From the ashes of the burned church, Lavezaresnons led by the succeeding priests have attempted to rebuild it. Finally in 1957, the new church as we see it today had started to take shape. With the deep spirituality and generosity of the people, Fr. Paramo's descriptions of a "magnificent and exquisite" church came to life again in another form and design made by Architect Juan Urbano.

Sixty-one years later, with a population which has already increased by three folds, Lavezaresnons have to face the challenge of improving the church which would entail expansion, preservation, and restoration. Thank heavens, there is Architect Jun Adriatico who, touched by the Holy Spirit, was able to redesign the church carefully and meticulously so that it will achieve the objectives of improving the church without destroying the old design and its antiquity.

Prominent in the new design is the twin towers on both sides of the church's facade in which religious icons will be placed. At the altar, a dome will be constructed just like the old cathedrals. The remnants of the old wall will be restored to serve as the new altar wall. 

Based on estimates, this project will cost more or less thirty million pesos. It really is a huge amount yet it is but nothing to the graces that fill the hearts of every Lavezaresnon.

(The Pastoral Council Meeting attended by Fr. Otillo P. Lobrino, Jr., Arch Jun Adriatico, Mayor Quintin B. Saludaga and the PPC Officers led by Vice-Chairperson Norma D. Chan.)