Originally built in 1768, the Parish of Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr in San Fabian, Pangasinan has been restored in 1856 after it has been burned when a sacristan carelessly threw a cigarette-end on its nipa roofing which caught fire at once. The last major restoration of the current church was in 1955.
In 1768, Dominican Fr. Francisco Ferrer started the constructions of the Church of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr which was made of bricks with a semi-claustral convent after the original church built in 1763 was destroyed by fire in 1856..
Fr. Juan Gutiérrez rebuilt the church and sanctuary in cruciform, which is 59.85 meters long and 11.40 meters wide. Fr. Ramon Fernandez erected the current church, convent, and bell tower in from 1860 to 1870.
The massive earthquake of March 16, 1892 caused further damage to the church and convent, which were later restored. During World War II, American naval shelling damaged the church and destroyed the bell tower and convent, and the church and a portion of the convent were repaired in 1952. The bell tower was completely restored in 2003.
The church is stunning apart from the fact that San Fabian has beautiful beaches. My visit to San Fabian is part of my side-trip when i went to Hundred Islands National Park.
HOW TO GET TO SAN FABIAN, PANGASINAN
Take a bus in Cubao Terminal (Solid North, Genesis, etc) that goes to Dagupan City. From Dagupan City, take a jeep or bus going to San Fabian. Travel time from Manila to San Fabian is 6-7 hours.
Dominic Rielo Amayun 