Parochial SchoolParochial School is a Registered Property, City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte located at Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX.
Parochial School is a one story structure and is rectangular in plan. Its facade has two pilasters at its entrance with the seal of the Jesuits directly above it. Its windows and entrance are arcuated with iron grills. The roof is gable in style and red lead in finish. Inside is a vacant space with a small stage where community activities are held.
There were only a few true schools, or schools not necessarily established to teach Catechism during the time of Spanish colonization in the Philippines. Most were found in Manila, the capital of the colony. Parochial schools, however, were established all over the archipelago to teach children the caton, or Catechism. Catechism was taught in order to “Christianize” the Filipinos. The parochial school of Dapitan was run by the sister of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, who were the ones who inculcated to the children the values on how to become religious and God-fearing. The parochial school was built years after the St. James Church was built in 1871.