Santa Barbara Pangasinan
The foundation of Santa Barbara town was approved on October 30,
1741, and by the Dominican Father of Calasiao in 1742 afterwards. It was
accepted by the Provincial Capital of 1743, while remaining still a part of the
town of Calasiao. In the Chapter of 1745, without accepting her as Vicariate, a
Vicar was given to her in the person of Father Benito Pereira. The original
relics of the church were made 1776 by Father Casimero Lafuente in the last
quarter of the last century. The brick convent, like the church and the
"tribunal" was changed by the same Father Lafuente. Similarly, it was this same
priest who arranged for the repair of the street of the town, and still other
improvements, like the plan of the Poblacion and its beautiful plaza.
E. P. Tenza was constructing the cemetery when the revolution in 1898 broke out.
The road which leads to Mangaldan was constructed by Father Boada and Quiros and
the many brick culverts by Father Casanova and Lafuente.
A Confraternity of the Holy Rosary was founded inside the church just before the
year 1805. Originally, it was 76.50 meters interior length and 18 meters in
width. The church and convent suffered damages because of the bombardment of the
Japanese in the year 1941, and also when the American liberation force landed in
Pangasinan in 1945.