[dearpdf id=”2679″ type=”button” ][/dearpdf]Transcribed by Belkis Muñoz Gelabert
Historial Facts
SAN RAMON NONATO PARISH OF JUANA DIAZ
- Construction of the church began in 1807, and between 1827 through 1861, substantial repairs are made to the church.
- First tower was constructed in 1869, followed by the second added between 1870 and 1895. Thus, the facade closely resembles the old facade of the Ponce Cathedral.
- In 1970, a concrete ceiling was installed, and the bricks of the columns and the apse dome were exposed.
- The church was last remodeled between 1984 and 2005. The rectory is attached to the back of the temple.
Observations of the church books
The church records for Juana Diaz are very important for the researcher. The oldest volume in this parish archive seems to be the first book of burials in this church by the Presbyter Francisco Antonio de Berrios, priest Chaplain, (June 26, 1787.) It begins with a document dated in this town named Rivera de Juana Díaz on June 24, 1787. On November 26, 1792, Bishop D. Francisco de la Cuerda of Coamo also reviewed this book. The second burial book comprises from June 1797 to September 1806.
There is a second book of baptisms for all classes of people from 1796-1810. The first book of Baptisms of white people of this neighborhood of San Juan Bautista and San Ramón de Juana Díaz, according to the Honorable Dr. don Juan Alexo de Arizmendi in his visitation order of July 22, 1813. In addition, a third book continues the record of the baptisms of whites from 1819 to 1835. In June of 1798, the title of San Juan Bautista and San Ramón as patrons are by Bishop Zengotita, at the request of Don Vicente Nazario García. Consequently, the Bishop postpones a request to the town’s name.
Book of Marriages of San Ramon Nonnato, parish of Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico
However, the records of marriages go back to 1787 as those of burials. They open with the first book of the record of the marriages celebrated in this hermitage of Juana Díaz, Jurisdiction of the Town of Coamo, from this current year of ’87 until the following date” It includes from June 1787 to June 1813. It contains very interesting news. There are different books for whites with pardos, keeping books number 1 (1813-1819) and 3 (1819-1851) both for whites. From May 1845 to April 1847, Don Juan Antonio Puig, the future bishop of Puerto Rico, was a lieutenant priest. There is also the 3rd book of pardos, which covers from August 1820 to February 1835.
There is also a “Libro de Fabrica” (from 1811 and onwards), two circular letters, and provisions of the Diocesan Curia (1797-1806, 1806- 1859). And the First Parochial book of confirmations in this “Sta. Yglesia de San Juan Bautista and San Ramón Nonnato de Juana Díaz (1798-1829).”
Click on the button below it will take you to the Church Index for Juana Diaz.
