Saint Joseph Parish Church of ClaveriaSaint Joseph Parish Church of Claveria is a Registered Property, Province of Cagayan located at Claveria, Cagayan, Region II.
The Christianization of Claveria dates back as early as 1865 when the Spaniards and the Dominican missionaries came by boat to the North. Fr. Ramon Pujadas, O.P. (1882-1879) became the first “cura paruco”. He arrived in Claveria in January 1879 eight months after the Dominican acceptance. The good priest was responsible for the plan and layout of St. Joseph Church of Claveria. Fr. Pedro Perez, O.P. (1883-1893) became the next “vicaro y cura misioner” He stayed for ten years and he initiated and almost finished two great works-the church and the convent. In 1893 the diocesan priest, Fr. Zacarias de Luna, bought some musical instruments upon his arrival. Fr. Chillaron, O.P. (1893-1898) was the third and last Spanish Dominican “vicaro y misionero”. He finished the work started by his predecessor, especially the church. During the stint of Fr. Eusebio Avilla, the church was blown down by a typhoon in 1922. Hence, the lower floor of the convent was converted to a place of worship, while the laborers constructed a temporary structure from the salvaged materials in front of the convent.
The present church was constructed during the tenure of Fr. Jose. The money was donated by the late Msgr. JURGENS. The people supplied the gravel and sand which was still inexpensive during that time and all their labor in hauling the materials. From the finishing, some families donated the cost of the window shutters that are still there hanging. The big church was just finished before the outbreak of World War II. Through Divine Providence, the St. Joseph church was spared during the war except for a bullet hole on the roof caused by the astray bullet of a Japanese soldier who wanted to silence the people during a meeting held in the church.