St. Francis of Assisi Parish Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija

The town church is a Spanish era church, said to be of Byzantine Architecture. It was dedicated to St. Francis of Assissi in 1851, and was built by the Franciscan order. Though it has undergone numerous renovations, it has retained its classic charm, especially its interior. One interesting thing about the church is that its bell tower can be found at the center of the church facade, unlike many of the others where bell towers can be found on either side of the church, or built some distance away from the church.

Though the church facade has been renovated numerous times, both its old side walls, made of red bricks (materials prevalently used during the Spanish Era) are intact.

The historical marker in the church facade says:

SIMBAHAN NG PENYARANDA
Itinayo noong 1869 ni P. Florentino Samonte; Ipinagpatuloy ni P. Isodro Plata ang pagpapagawa, 1873-1875, at ni P. Candido San Miguel, 1879-1881; at tinapos ni P. Santos Vega, 1887-1889. Ang kumbento na yari sa tisa at kahoy ay itinayo ni P. Valentin Gato dela Fuente, 1889-1891. Ang unang simbahan ay may atip na kugon at pader na bato na itinayo ni P. Alvaro Calleja.

Source: http://sanjosenyonggala.blogspot.com/2014/06/penaranda.html