List of Baroque churches in the Philippines

This is a list of Baroque churches in the Philippines.

List

Official Name Image Current Location Period Description / Designation
San Agustin Church Manila 1607 Known as the oldest stone church in the Philippines, the church in 1993 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1] It is one of the 4 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[2]
Vinzons Church Vinzons, Camarines Norte 1611 A town named Tacboan was established by Franciscan priests in 1581. In 1611, Fr. Juan de Losar, OFM built a church named after Saint Peter. Fr. Losar was the first parish priest of the church. In 1624, the whole town of Tacboan was relocated and it was called Indan where a new church was built with the same patron saint, St. Peter the Apostle. In 1636, the missionaries established a church of Labo combining with Indan. In 1661, the secular clergy started administering the church.

After World War II, Indan was renamed Vinzons in honor of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons; a former governor of the Camarines Norte, youngest delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1935, and a guerrilla leader martyred by the Japanese during World War II.

In 1994, the left and right sides of the church were repaired with the help of the townspeople. In 2011, the 400th foundation anniversary of the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle including the Parish of Saint John the Baptist Church (Daet) in Daet and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria in Paracale was celebrated.

On December 26, 2012, the church was destroyed by a fire. According to its parish priest, Fr. Francisco Regala Jr., the historical artifacts of church were not saved. The Governor of Camarines Norte, Edgardo Tallado, said that the slow response of the fire marshall resulted in the destruction of the whole church except for the concrete walls.

Lubao Church Lubao, Pampanga 1638 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 1957.[3]
Majayjay Church Majayjay, Laguna 1649 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1993, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[4][5]
Abucay Church Abucay, Bataan 17th century The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 1939.[6]
Paoay Church Paoay, Ilocos Norte 1710 The church is an interpretation of the European Baroque adapted to the seismic condition of the Philippines through the use of enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the church.[7] The church in 1993 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 4 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[2]
Maragondon Church Maragondon, Cavite 1714 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2001, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[8][5]
Santa Ana Church Santa Ana, Manila 1725 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1936, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[9][5]
Loboc Church Loboc, Bohol 1734 In 2006, the church was one of 5 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]
Baclayon Church Baclayon, Bohol 1737 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1994, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure in 2010.[11][12]
Santo Niño Basilica Cebu City, Cebu 1740 The basilica enshrines the image of Santo Niño, which was presented by Ferdinand Magellan to the consort of Rajah Humabon during their baptism to Roman Catholicism on 1521.[13] The National Museum of the Philippines designated the basilica a National Cultural Treasure in 2021.[14]
Namacpacan Church Luna, La Union 1741 The church enshrines the Our Lady of Namacpacan.[15] The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Balayan Church Balayan, Batangas 1752 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1986, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[16][5]
Santa Maria Church Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur 1765 Unlike other town churches in the Philippines, which conform to the Spanish tradition of building them on the central plaza, the Santa Maria Church is situated on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall on all sides like a fortress. The church is reached by climbing a stairway of granite rock.[17] The church in 1993 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 4 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[2]
Tuguegarao Cathedral Tuguegarao, Cagayan 1768 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the cathedral a National Historical Landmark in 1982.[18]
Betis Church Betis, Guagua, Pampanga 1770 The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Daraga Church Daraga, Albay 1773 The church's facade is known for its Churrigueresque style, an example of Baroque architecture.[19] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2008, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[20][5]
Dupax del Sur Church Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya 1776 The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Bacarra Church Bacarra, Ilocos Norte 1782 The church is famous for its domeless bell tower.[21] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1973, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[22][5]
Boljoon Church Boljoon, Cebu 1783 In 2006, the church was one of 5 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]
Tumauini Church Tumauini, Isabela 1783 The church uses an ultra-Baroque style. It uses baked clay both for wall finishes and ornamentation.[23] In 2006, the church was one of 5 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]
Tanay Church Tanay, Rizal 1783 The 14 Stations of the Cross inside the church is considered as one of the most beautiful in Asia.[24] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1939, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[25][5]
Argao Church Argao, Cebu 1788 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 2016.[26]
Boac Cathedral Boac, Marinduque 1792 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the cathedral a National Historical Landmark in 1972.[27]
Miagao Church Miagao, Iloilo 1797 The church's overall architectural style falls under the Baroque-Romanesque style. Its ochre color is due to the materials used in constructing the church: adobe, egg, coral and limestone. The church's deep foundation and thick stone walls served as protection during Moro invasions and raids in the past.[28] The church in 1993 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the 4 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[2]
Masinloc Church Masinloc, Zambales 18th century The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Romblon Cathedral Romblon, Romblon 18th century The National Museum of the Philippines declared the cathedral a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Vigan Cathedral Vigan, Ilocos Sur 1800 Predominantly in Earthquake Baroque style with large buttresses on its side. It also has Neo-Gothic, Romanesque, and Chinese-inspired embellishments.[29] The cathedral, along with other places, was included in the Historic Town of Vigan, designated in 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[30]
Tayum Church Tayum, Abra 1803 The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[31]
Loay Church Loay, Bohol 1822 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 2004.[32]
Dalaguete Church Dalaguete, Cebu 1825 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2004.[33]
Magsingal Church Magsingal, Ilocos Sur 1827 The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Minalin Church Minalin, Pampanga 1834
Paete Church Paete, Laguna 1840 The church is known for the large wall paintings on wood panels, which the National Museum of the Philippines declared as a National Cultural Treasure.[34][5] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1939.[35]
Guiuan Church Guiuan, Eastern Samar 1844 It is the only church in the Philippines with interiors extensively decorated with natural shells.[36] In 2006, the church was one of 5 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]
Bacong Church Bacong, Negros Oriental 1850 The church is famous for its pipe organ from Spain, installed in 1894.[37] The National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Calasiao Church Calasiao, Pangasinan 1852 The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Calamba Church Calamba, Laguna 1859 The church where the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal received baptism in 1861.[38] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1976.[39]
Loon Church Loon, Bohol 1864 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 2010, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[40][5]
Maasin Cathedral Maasin, Southern Leyte 1968 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the cathedral a National Historical Landmark in 1983.[41]
San Joaquin Church San Joaquin, Iloilo 1869 The church has a pediment that depicts the Spanish victory over the Moors in Morocco.[42] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1980, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[43][5]
Maribojoc Church Maribojoc, Bohol 1872 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2009, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[44][5]
Mahatao Church Mahatao, Batanes 1873 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 2008, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[16][5]
Taal Basilica Taal, Batangas 1878 The basilica is the largest in the Philippines.[45] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the basilica as a National Historical Landmark in 1972.[46]
Tabaco Church Tabaco, Albay 1879 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1980, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[47][5]
Pan-ay Church Pan-ay, Capiz 1884 The church has the largest bell in Asia.[48] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1997, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[49][5]
Lazi Church Lazi, Siquijor 1884 In 2006, the church was one of 5 churches collectively included in the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension), a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]
Barasoain Church Malolos, Bulacan 1888 The church was the seat of the First Philippine Rebulic, leading to it being depicted in monetary bills in the Philippines.[50][51] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1976.[52]
Quipayo Church Calabanga, Camarines Sur 1888 The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church a National Historical Landmark in 1979.[53]
Jimenez Church Jimenez, Misamis Occidental Late 1880s The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]
Tayabas Basilica Tayabas, Quezon 1894 The church is one of the most beautiful in the Philippines.[54] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the church as a National Historical Landmark in 1982, and the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure.[55][5]
Jasaan Church Jasaan, Misamis Oriental Late 19th to early 20th century The National Museum of the Philippines declared the church a National Cultural Treasure.[5]

See also

References

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