03/11/2025
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 - 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐚
Written by: Samantha Jade Mengote | BSE-ENG 2
Captured by: Mhilkha Alihson De Leon | BSE-ENG 2 and Elayza Morales | BSE-ENG 2
The Our Lady of the Abandoned Church in Marikina, also known as OLA Church, is one of the oldest and most historical churches in the city. It stands proudly in Barangay Sta. Elena, along J. P. Rizal Street, and has been part of the lives of Marikeños for 338 years now.
The story of this church began in the 1572, when Augustinians arrived as the Mission of San Isidro Labrador in Chorillo or the present-day Barangkay. The spanish missionaries first came to the Marikina Valley to teach the Catholic faith. In 1630, Jesuit priests celebrated the first Mass in a small chapel made of light materials in an area called Chorillo, which is now part of Barangay Barangka. However, since the place was near the river and often flooded, they decided to move to a safer and higher area–where the church now stands.
In 1687, the Augustinian friars took charge of the mission and began building a stronger, larger church for the growing number of Catholics in Marikina. The new stone church was built on higher ground to replace the flood-prone Jesuit chapel at Jesus dela Peña. Around 1690, the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned was officially established at this new site
The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title ‘Our Lady of the Abandoned’ or ‘Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados’ in Spanish. This devotion came from Valencia, Spain, where Mary was honored as the protector of orphans, the sick, and the poor. Sadly, the original image was destroyed during a war, but in 1902, a new image was made, which is the one people still venerate today.
Over the years, the church has gone through many challenges. It was damaged by earthquakes and fires, but it was always repaired by the parishioners who loved and cared for it. In 1791, it was officially consecrated under the name of Our Lady of the Abandoned. On October 23 2005, the image of the Virgin Mary was canonically crowned, and in 2007, the church became a Diocesan Shrine under the Diocese of Antipolo.
Today, the Our Lady of the Abandoned Church remains one of the most beautiful landmarks in Marikina. Its Baroque-style design, thick stone walls, and tall bell tower remind people of the city’s rich history. It continues to be a place of peace and prayer for thousands of devotees who come every day to ask for guidance and thank “Mama OLA” for her blessings
Through centuries of floods, fires, and changes, the OLA Church still stands as a symbol of faith, love, and resilience–proof that the devotion of Marikeños to Our Lady of the Abandoned will never fade.
Official Pubmat Template by: Jan Denver Claude B. Regencia
