What Is the Merizo Bell Tower?
This is a 24-foot high bell tower built during Guam’s transition period between Spanish and American domination!
What Makes It Historical?
When the Americans took charge of Guam in 1899, they expelled all but one single Spanish priest, Augustinian Padre José Palomo. He was unable to minister to all the island’s Catholics on his own, so he reached out to the Capuchins of the nearby Carolinian Islands, then under German control. The Capuchins, part of St. Francis of Assisi’s Friars Minor, started redirecting aid from the nearby island of Yap in 1901!
Though trouble arose when the Vatican made American Guam and the German Northern Marianas Islands part of the same Apostolic Prefecture, the friars on their own focused on smaller scale matters. For instance, Father Jose de Canals, who arrived here in 1907, was in charge of caring for Malesso’ and Humåtak for fourteen years! Here, he built the San Dimas church and this bell tower across the street, all the while focusing on enhancing the area’s agriculture, and even developing an all new strain of tomato! The bell tower itself was constructed in 1919 using a method called mampostería, adapted from Spanish construction techniques. Unique to Spain’s colonies, this technique involves mortaring together stone rubble then plastering and whitewashing the stone structure!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Guam Preservation Trust!
- Donate to the Guam Preservation Trust!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
SW of Juan A Cruz Ave and Chalon Canton Tasi
Malesso’, Guam
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Whenever the mood strikes you!
More Photos
