History of Leganes Church, Leganes, Iloilo

Iloilo is a known religious province and the number of pilgrim sites scattered all over the land testify the Ilonggo's strong faith and devotion to God. Amongst these shrines of faith, the church of San Vincente Ferrer in the town of Leganes is perhaps the most visited because people from all over the country would come to pay homage and display their acts of faith with hopes that the desires of their hearts might be fulfilled.

Declared as a diocesan shrine, the imposing baroque structure stands facing the town plaza as it struck passers by with its captivating beauty. The facade is an elaborate example of the usual baroque church common in the Philippines and in other countries around Europe. 


Without the canopy, the facade would have shared a lot similarities with the Church of Saint Theresa in Lithuania. Though it was just recently rebuilt, the architects and engineers did choose the best details that could make an astonishing facade that depitcts nothing else but elegance, faith and magnificence.

Parish of San Guillermo - Passi City

Founded in 1584, Passi is now a chartered city in the Province of Iloilo. It is authentic that Passi City had the most colorful people in the island, the Pintados. However, the history of the church could be traced back in the early 1600′s but the present church was initiated in 1821-1837. The architectural style is perhaps undistinguished but it might be referred as Baroque.

It is one of the largest in Iloilo and all sides are dominated with massive buttresses. There is a confusion about the original location of the facade.The design is primitive yet there is an artistic carving on which is possibly the facade.

From the entrance of the Passi Church, a “Jardin de los Santos” or Garden of Saints can be found at the left side of the building. 

Click the Google Maps below for your references in the actual location of the church.

History of Parish of St. Agustin Church (Dumangas, Iloilo)

The town was formerly called Araut. Dumangas was made parish in 1569 and in 1572 under the leadership of Fr. Juan de Alva, the construction for their church started. Until the end of the Spanish rule, their Church gained a wide popularity as a vital center of religious activities in Iloilo.

Fr. Juan Medina in 1617 built a wooden church in the new town. However, this church was burnt with the convent in 1528 during the time of Fr. Tomas Morales, another church and convent was built thereafter. On the other hand, on a Saturday, March 15, 1687 the almost 60-year old convent was turned into ashes taking along 2,000 canvass of rice stored in the camarin.

It was Fr. Juan Aguado in 1759 who proclaimed St. Agustin as the patron saint of Dumangas. He defended the town in a very famous legend. In 1777, Fr. Agustin Casan reconstructed the old citadel bounded by stone walls and high watch towers. It was destroyed by a strong density earthquake in 1787. Over 1,000 years later, in 1887, Fr. Fernando Llorente (famous Augustinian Friar for his engineering skills) began the construction of the present church. It was through force labor with the bricks locally manufactured and white coral stones were taken from nearby seashores to as far as Antique.

It was finished during the incumbency of Fr. Rafael Murillo in 1895, burnt down during the Fil-Am war in the 1900s and once again in 1946, Fr. Ramon Pampona started another set of reconstructions. Serious restoration works started in 1983 under Fr. Santiago and on the same year, a national landmark was given by the National Historic Institute through the efforts of Congressman Narciso Monfort. This Gothic Byzantine Church is said to be the first stone church of Panay.

The predominant design is gothic with flame-like arches of the main entrance and windows. The rectangular opening of the pediment distracts from the main motif. The windows are flanked by slender Corinthian columns.

History of Igbaras Catholic Church

 Igbaras Catholic Church is considered to be a visita of Augustinian missionaries. It was in Tinogpahan, in the vicinity of Binanuan that the first “Iglesita” or chapel was founded by Rev. Fr. Juan de Medina. The old church was said to be built in 1784, and a convent followed in 1795 under Fr. Ignacio Marcos. Big floods washed away the structures, but the ruins are still visible up to these dates.

The history of the Church of Igbaras began in the early 1872 was constructed by Fr. Celestino Fernandez. In 1878, the edifice was completed and at the time it was one of the largest churches in Iloilo and the Philippines. In the succeeding years, another church was built at the site, and became a popular site for devotees. However, by 1948, the main church was in ruins. Most believe that the edifice was destroyed by an earthquake.

Others however, contend that the ruins of the Church of Igbaras was razed down by a large fire, while there are some of the opinion that the flood that damaged the town also affected the church and contributed to its destruction. Be that as it may, there is still something to be seen in the area today.

Heading to the site of the ruins of the Church of Igbaras, you will see a place filled with trees, and an elegant walkway, orange and green in color. As you go near you will see a grotto which has been dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There is also the one remaining wall of the church, which has now been turned into a chapel. The ornate stones around the area were taken from the original structure.

The followers of the Virgin Mary and pious Catholics have been drawn to the ruins of the Church of Igbaras by the grotto, while history buffs by the ruins itself. For the tourist, it presents an opportunity to see the devotion of the people as well as learn a bit of the history of the land as well.

History of Sta. Barbara Church

In 1991, the National Heritage Institute declared the Santa Barbara Church and Convent as a National Landmark. The declaration is a testimony of the significance of the Church especially its important role in the Country’s history as the general headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary forces against Spain in the Visayas during the late 1800s.

The church was the site where General Martin Delgado of the Visayan Revolutionary Government convened the junta that raised the first Cry of Revolution against Spain outside Luzon. Its churchyard that time was packed with Filipino soldiers, armed with bolos and eager to fight for freedom.

Framed by the outer wall of the right side of the church and the L-shaped convent, the inner patio is one of the most interesting parts of the church. The view of the church’s yellow sandstone and Spanish-colonial elements of the convent, especially of its balcony, create an ambiance of ancient living and Hispanic life.

Santa Barbara Church was built in 1845 and is of Baroque Renaissance architecture. The whole structure imposes simplicity and beauty. Its facade is neoclassic, proven by twinned neoclassic pilasters and finials. Beside it is the convent, which is reminiscent of Moorish architecture. The interior of the church is neoclassic in style. It has three altars more elaborate than the facade and an intricately designed pulpit in the left side of the wall.

Displayed at the left side of the church is one of the old bells of Santa Barbara Church. Meanwhile, behind the church is a tree shaded park featuring stations of the Cross and a garden of Saints. On the outer wall of the church is a sculpture relief illustrating the story of the Revolution in Iloilo including scenes in Santa Barbara, Molo, and Jaro.

The Santa Barbara Church and Convent is located beside the public plaza. Below is the Google Maps for your guide and references:

Tigbauan Church, Iloilo, Philippines

Brief History of Tigbauan Church

Parish of St. John of Sahagun is unique in the country because of its Latin American churriquesque architecture. The exterior part of the church, particularly the entrance is decorated with intricate floral carving as well as cherubs. Two bell towers stood on each side of the church. The structure of the church is made up of yellow lime stones. One of the church’s  dazzling features is the mosaic art which decorated the interior part. Above the seal is a niche flanked by pilasters embellished with flowers and upon it is a depiction of San Juan. The mosaic art depicts various biblical events such as expulsion of Adam and Eve from garden of Eden, Jesus Christ and his disciples, crucifixion, the resurrection of Christ.

The church interior was gutted during the Second World War. Today, it has one of the most beautiful modern-type interiors made up of colorful stone murals. The mosaics adorning the church interior, including the altar and the Stations of the Cross, were created by a local artist in the last two decades.

Fr. Fernando Camporredondo spearheaded the construction of the church, yellow limestones was used to build the church. The church was solidly built that it even survived the earthquake of July 13,1787. The church reached its completion through the efforts of Fr. Fernando Martin. Unfortunately the 1948 quake destroyed the interiors of the church which left the bell tower and the facade intact. The interiors of the church was decorated with mosaic on 1994.

St. Clement’s Church, Iloilo City

St. Clement’s Church boasts its modern design as both appealing and simple. The church’s facade is adorned with white balusters lining the balcony outside. Another exterior feature is the four-storey high tower located at the right side of the building. On the outside, the garden surrounding the church usually serves as an extra space for mass-goers when the church is full.

The interior of St. Clement’s is also simple, yet elegant. It provides an atmosphere for meditation and prayer as there are few distractions in the design. I find the lines and curves of the altar seem to lead to the big image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help at the center of the altar. I feel like the patterns are designed to lead us to the great image.

Saint Clement’s is managed by the Redemptorists or the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer with their Mother House located at left side of the church. The church was completed on 1931. The first Perpetual Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the Philippines and Asia was celebrated at the church on May 13, 1946.

The Mother House of the Redemptorists at La Paz; also used as a retreat venue

Saint Clement’s Church is located at La Paz, Iloilo City. From the city center, one can get to the church by riding jeepneys going to Jaro.

History of Jaro Cathedral Church

History of Jaro Cathedral

The Jaro Cathedral (Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary) was built in 1864, the year the district was named a diocese by Pope Pius the IX, by order of His Grace Mariano Cuartero, first bishop of Jaro. Destroyed in the quake of January 1948 and restored by order of His Excellency Jose Ma. Cuenco, first archbishop of Jaro in 1956. The cathedral’s style is basically Baroque, with the addition of Gothic elements over many renovations.

The Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Lady of the Candles) is the only rose among the all-male collection of statues which line the walls of the cathedral’s interiors. The Lady of Candles is perched on a glass encased shrine carved out of the facade. The limestone is said to be continuously growing, and in fact had become too large to fit into its original niche just above the present one. Her shrine is visited often by many devotees who believe the statue to be miraculous. This 400-year-old image is the focus of an annual Jaro Fiesta held every February.

The Jaro Cathedral is the first and only cathedral in Panay built in 1864. Baptized here was Graciano Lopez Jaena, patriot and orator, in December 20, 1856. A high point in the history of the cathedral was the visit of Pope John Paul VI, conducting a mass in 1982. He set a crown upon the Lady of the Candles, and declared it the Patroness of the Western Visayas.

History of Guimbal Church

History of Guimbal Church

The Guimbal Church is one of the oldest churches in the country. This yellow sandstone church is made from adobe stones called “igang” and “coral stone” quarried from Guimaras. It was built in 1774 by Father Campos.

The facade is a two-story affair flanked by twinned round pilasters decorated with floral carvings. Its vintage belfry is 4 stories high and doubles as a watchtower during the Spanish occupation against pillaging Moro pirates. It has undergone some reconstruction after it was destroyed twice, during the Second World War and during the 1948 earthquake. Recently, it was rehabilitated to its original structure.

How to reach Guimbal Church? You can ride a Guimbal Jeepney in front of Iloilo Supermart – Molo Branch or in the Terminal Market (locally called “Super”) near Robinsons Place. You can also ride a Miagao or San Joaquin Jeepneys. Just tell the driver to drop your off at Guimbal Plaza.

History of Cabatuan Church

History of Cabatuan Church

Neoclassical in style, the church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, patron saint of Cabatuan, was built in 1834, replacing the temporary ones constructed by earlier priests. It was Rev. Fr. Ramon Alquizar, an Augustinian, who initiated in building the church. Every side of the church is a facade in itself. Its walls are overlaid with red bricks.

Before World War II, there was a spacious rectory or convento, which can accommodate 3000 people, at the right side of the church. It was however burned by the guerillas in 1942 as part of their scorched earth strategy. In 1943, it was demolished by the Japanese Imperial Army and its bricks were used as overlay for the Tiring Landing Field. On Jan. 25, 1948, the church was partly destroyed by an earthquake that rocked the island of Panay.

It is the only church in Iloilo which once had three facades and six belfries, in spite of this, four of these belfries were destroyed in the 1948 earthquake. The Church which is Tuscan in style imposes heaviness and massiveness.

The Main facade is primarily decorated with Tuscan pilasters and ornate Agustinian symbols, while the eastern and the western facades remained in the Renaissance form.

The belfries which might be Moorish or Byzantine in style, contribute a medieval Baroque supremacy. Lingganay, a Collection of Iloilo’s Heritage Churches, by Giancarlo Parcon Alvarez

The central structure of the church is in the shape of the cross which is about 50 meters long and about 20 meters wide, with its walls about a meter and a half thick. Its facade is decorated with the pope’s tiara flanked by the Augustinian symbol of the transfixed heart capped by the bishop’s hat surrounded by a cord. The upper parts of the walls have 19 circular windows with multicolored glass panes.

Dingle Church - Saint John the Baptist

Iloilo is a hometown to many old churches and one of these is the Dingle Church, a peaceful town in Eastern Iloilo. Dingle Church is a Baroque architecture with its interiors showing features of the Neoclassical extravagance.

The parish church of Saint John the Baptist is simple yet elegant. It is not lavishly adorned but it is a real beauty. Dingle Church, its main component is limestone and I find it unique. In this part of Iloilo, baked bricks is the most common material as seen in the churches of Miagao, San Joaquin, Cabatuan, Janiuay,and Santa Barbara. This church, limestone was quarried in the mountains of Bulabog-Putian which is now a national park. 

The Baroque architecture gold-like walls of the church stand out as well as its unique style. The church will remind us of pilgrim chapels in the Europe and Latin America where not much architectural details are used and there is not much emphasis on size which further appeals to a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Though the church was not built to outshine other neighboring temples, its simplicity always carries a certain charm that makes it a beautiful image to behold.

Molo Church, Iloilo City, Philippines

History of Molo Church, Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines

The Molo Parish Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Western Visayas. It is an awesome imposing edifice of massive white corral rock lording over the Molo Plaza.

The only Gothic church in the entire country outside of Manila, Molo Church was constructed in 1831 under Fray Pablo Montaño and further expanded and finished by Fray Agapito Buenaflor in 1888 under the supervision of Don Jose Manuel Locsin.

Its two belfries had around 30 bells of different sizes ranging from small handbells to big campaniles making a musical tone.

The Gothic character of the church is manifested not only in its two pointed towers but also on the pointed arches at the main altar and four side altars, pulpits and confessionals.

On August 4, 1886, national hero Jose Rizal dropped at Molo on his way back to Manila from exile at Dapitan in Mindanao. He went to see his friend, Raymundo Melliza who showed him the church.

In his diary, Rizal wrote, "We went to Molo to see the church painted by a lad who has left the locality. The church is pretty (iglesia bonita) outside with paintings inside mostly copies of biblical scenes by Gusty Dore."

Actually, there were two painters who painted the murals inside the church Mariano Mabunay and Jesus Huervas.

The church was so strong that it withstood several strong earthquakes in the past. During World War II, it was the evacuation center of the civilians supervised by its parish priest, Msgr. Manuel Alba.

One of the original towers which was a Japanese machine gun nest, was destroyed on March 18, 1945, when shelled by the artillery of the United States Liberation Forces bringing its bells crumbling to the ground.

After the war, restoration of the damaged parts of the church was undertaken by Msgr. Alba and Gov. Timoteo Consing, Sr.

The church, which is dedicated to Santa Ana, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Margy, has larger than life images of female saints lined in two rows (eight on each side) inside the church, each standing on a pedestal attached to a massive stone pillar and under the Gothic style canopy.

These saints are Sta. Marcela, Apolonia, Genoveva, Isabel, Felicia, Ines, Monica, Magdalena, Juliana, Lucia, Rosa de Lima, Teresa, Clara, Cecilia, Margarita and Marta.

At the main altar is the statue of Sta. Ana teaching the scripture to the child Mary with the Holy Trinity at the top.

The right side has Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, San Judas Tadeo, San Esteban and Sta. Rita de Casia.

As observed by many, while the female saints are kept inside the church, the streets around the vicinity of the parish are named after the male saints, namely San Jose, Antonio, Marcos and Pedro simply showing how the Moleños give protection to the Moleñas.

At the ceiling of the dome are paintings of the four evangelists.

Recently, murals of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection were added at the sides of the main altar. Biblical scenes and paintings of San Miguel and San Rafael were also added at the door.

On the steps of its doors are the rare piedra china.

Further restoration of the church is still undergoing through the supervision of Engr. Timotel V. Consing Jr and recently, in coordination with the National Historical Institute through the efforts of Senator Franklin Drilon.

In 1992, the National Historical Institute installed a marker on the church declaring it a national landmark through the representation of Sir Knight Rex S. Salvilla.

Here is the list of the parish priests of Molo since 1975: Father Jose de Carvajal, Leon Magbanua, Hermogenes Magallanes, Felix Gonzaga, Andre Picson, Luciano Nicolas, Pablo Montano, Juan dela Cruz, Jose Sitchon, Agapito Buenaflor, Leonardo Lazaro, Juan Hofilena, Cornelio Salas, Miguel Diocson, Circiaco Serrano, Nicolas Valencia, Miguel Alba, Polecarpio Parcon, Fernando Capalla and Fr. Felipe Parian Jr.

Rev. Fr. Tomas Delicana is the incumbent parish priest. His assistant is Rev. Fr. Jesus "Toto" Mana-ay.

Location of Molo Church: Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines


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