I
got to visit twenty three churches in the province of Iloilo which all belong
to the Archdiocese of Jaro. It took me three days to visit them all. These
churches include the following: Jaro Cathedral, Lapaz, Molo, Tigbauan, Guimbal,
Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Leon, Alimodian, San Miguel, Pavia, Sta.
Barbara, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Lambunao, Calinog, Passi, Dueñas, Dingle, Pototan,
Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, San Jose and Leganes.
I was surprised to know that many of these churches were founded in the
late sixteenth century. It is just no wonder that there are still many old
churches that exist in Iloilo. The first
part of this post will consist of the first thirteen churches from Jaro
Cathedral to Sta. Barbara.
NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA CANDELARIA PARISH
(OUR LADY OF CANDLES)
ST. ELIZABETH METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
Founded: 1587
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| The bell tower is across the street from the Cathedral. |
OUR LADY OF PEACE AND GOOD VOYAGE PARISH CHURCH
Jereos, St. Lapaz, Iloilo City
Founded: 1870
SANTA ANA PARISH CHURCH
Jocson St., Molo, Iloilo City
Founded: 1795
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| Built in the neogothic style, it has twin belltowers with prominent red spires. |
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| The church also has pulpits on both sides of the church. Perhaps it was to give the priest the choice of where to preach his sermon. |
ST. JOHN OF SAHAGUN PARISH CHURCH
TIGBAUAN, ILOILO
Founded: 1578
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| The architecture of the church is called Churriquesque. It is a Spanish baroque style with Latin American flavor consisting of sophisticated sculptural architectural ornament popular in the 17th century. Here, the decoration surrounding the main entrance and the niche has intricate floral carvings as well as cherubs. |
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| A cherub just above the main entrance. |
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| A closer look at the decorative carvings surrounding the niche of St. John of Sahagun. |
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| A carved Sto. Niño just above the niche. |
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| The Augustinian insignia. |
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| The apse decorated in mosaic depicting heaven, hell and earth. |
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| The decoration inside the church are all mosaic. Following the destruction of the church in the earthquake of 1948 which only left the facade intact, the interior was slowly rebuilt with painstaking labor of having the apse, the stations of the cross and other images made of mosaic. |
ST. NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO PARISH CHURCH
GUIMBAL, ILOILO
Founded: 1590
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| The plaza in front of the church is well maintained. |
ST. THOMAS OF VILLANUEVA PARISH CHURCH
MIAG-AO, ILOILO
Founded: 1734
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| Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, this Baroque church is also called the Miag-ao Fortress Church since it served as defensive tower of the town against Muslim raids. |
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| The carved relief of a coconut tree to which St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus holds on to. |
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| St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus holding on to a coconut tree amidst papaya and guava trees. |
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| The Adoration chapel. |
SAN JOAQUIN PARISH CHURCH
SAN JOAQUIN, ILOILO
Founded: 1801
Founded: 1801
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| The church was built in 1859 and finished ten years after. It is made of coral stones and limestones. |
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| The scene depicted on the pediment is the celebrated victory of the Spanish cavalry against the Moors in the Battle of Tetuan. |
SAN JOAQUIN CEMETERY
ST. ANTHONY, ABBOT PARISH CHURCH
TUBUNGAN, ILOILO
Founded: 1810
ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA PARISH CHURCH
LEON, ILOILO
Founded: 1732
ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISH CHURCH
ALIMODIAN, ILOILO
Founded: 1754
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH CHURCH
SAN MIGUEL, ILOILO
Founded: 1838
Founded: 1838
STA. MONICA PARISH CHURCH
PAVIA, ILOILO
Founded: 1862
STA. BARBARA PARISH CHURCH
STA. BARBARA, ILOILO
Founded: 1760
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