Our Lady of Purificaiton Ministry of Altar Servers

Our Lady of Purification (Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City)

Plaque of Recognition (Found in the side of the Main Door of the Parish):

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Sta. Maria was founded as a barangay on February 2, 1857; Established as a parish under the Jesuit Fathers on July 1935; Taken over by the Claretian Fathers on September 1952; and the Archdiocesan Clergy on May 1982. The cornerstone of this Church was laid on April 19, 1987 by Most. Rev. Francisco R. Cruces, D.D. Archbishop of Zamboanga. With the help of friends, benefactors, parishioners, and the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. David Alonzo; was inaugurated & blessed on December 16, 1990; Dedicated to God under the Patroness of Our Lady of the Purification on September 5, 1993. 

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Founding of the Barrio:

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The barrio of Santa Maria derived its name from Mary, the Virgin Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. From the files of Mr. Adolfo Navarro's private historical collections of Zamboanga, the exact founding of Santa Maria appears to be on February 2, 1857. Since then the traditional fiesta falls on every February 2nd every year.

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Santa Maria was then known as "visita" established by the Jesuits before their expulsion from the country in 1776. In 1862, the Jesuits returned to Zamboanga, took over possession of their property and "visitas" and converted the latter into "paroquias" or parishes.

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Construction of the Church:

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Originally, as stated above, Santa Maria was a "visita" and as such only had a small chapel for the Catholic residents. Due to the rapid increase in population in the area, the residents found themselves faced with the necessity of building a bigger house of worship, that is, a church. When the materials were ready, actual work for the church was commenced. Some old residents of the place contend that actual work started in 1863.

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On June 28, 1890, an imposing monument to the ingenuity and generosity and personal sacrifices of its people, the church was inaugurated. Don Bonifacio Sta. Teresa donated the statue of the "Nuestra Senora de Candelaria" which was placed in the niche of the main altar to remain therin to this day as the Protectress of the barrio and residents of Santa Maria.

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Reference:

https://www.facebook.com/sharethebestzambo2017/photos/a.1077336259002876/1085605564842612/?type=3