Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica

PRESENTED BY: JORDAN TINGSON SUBJECT: HISTORY OF GUAM DATE: MARCH 19, 2012 TEACHER: MRS.BEEBE P E R I O D : 3 RD

History
The first Catholic Church on Guam, the Dulce Nombre de Maria {Sweet Name of Mary} Cathedral Basilica was constructed in central Hagatna in 1669. The original church was constructed in 16691670 by Chamorro's under the direction of Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores on lands granted by Chief Quipuha, the ranking male of Hagatna at that time. (Guamonline.com)

Location
The CathedralBasilica is located in Agana, Guam and is the official parish of that village. Located next to CarmensChachacha Mexican restaurant.
(carmenschachach a.com)

What happened
Just four hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed by

the Japanese, disaster struck Guam on Dec. 8, 1941. The village of Agana was transformed from the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion into a city of shocked people as many families were still in church when the planes struck the village. (guampedia.com)

Importance in WWII
The Cathedral-Basilica is the home of the statue of Santa Maria Kamalen, Guams patron saint. The day the Japanese bombed Guam was the day of the Santa Maria Kamalen and the Japanese had bombed the church while people were still celebrating.
(www.guampedia.com)

Who
There was no specific people involved in the

bombing of the Church. Those mainly involved were the Chamorros who were celebrating the day of Santa Maria Kamalen and the Japanese who were bombing it.

Condition
The Cathedral now stands tall with all repairs and renovations from WWII completed. This beautiful structure is now the only Cathedral within the Marianas, a beautiful tourist attraction, and most importantly a beautiful church which remains home to Guams patron saint.

Works Cited
Jillette Leon-Guerrero, MA, ' Hagta', referenced March 18,

2012, 2009 Guampedia, URL: http://guampedia.com/hagatna/ Tony Palomo and Katherine Aguon, PhD, ' WWII: From Occupation to Liberation', referenced March 18, 2012, 2009 Guampedia, URL: http://guampedia.com/wwii-fromoccupation-to-liberation/ . "Guam Historical and Cultural Landmarks." guamonline.com. Guam-OnLine, November 2001. Web. 18 Mar 2012. <http://www.guamonline.com/landmarks/landmarks.htm>. . "Contact Us." carmenschachacha.com. Carmen's Cha cha cha, 2009. Web. 18 Mar 2012. <http://www.carmenschachacha.com/main/index.php?key=c ontact>.