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.