A rare photograph dated May 28, 1959, preserved in the digital archives of the Parish Social Communications Ministry, offers a remarkable glimpse into the historic grandeur of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima.
Believed to be the oldest known photograph of the parish church, the image captures the structure in its original architectural form. Then known as Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima, the parish was formally designated in April 1855 as Parroquia de Santa Rosa de Santa Maria, reflecting the saint’s full religious name.
The photograph reveals striking details that no longer exist today, including the old clay tiled roof, the dome and spire, and the large transept windows that once defined the church’s ventilation and design. The empty facade niches, where images of San Isidro Labrador and San Pedro Apostol would only be installed in the 1970s, are clearly visible, along with the open Porta Mayor and Porta Minors. The shaded facade cartouche and the “IRS” emblem, associated with the church’s original name, crown the structure’s upper walls.
Also seen in the background is the old convent, located on the site of what is now Daanbantayan Central Elementary School. Later convent structures built in the late 1960s and in 2007 had yet to rise at the time the photograph was taken.
More than a visual record, the image stands as a testament to the parish’s enduring faith, architectural heritage, and evolving history, preserving a moment in time for future generations.
Credits: Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, Social Communications Ministry/Facebook
