Geronimo, Shyra Mae P.

BSA 1-30

Historical Background
1. Sto. Tomas De Villanueva (1754), Alimodian, Iloilo
The parish of Santo Tomas de Villanueva was
founded by the Augustinians in October of 1654,
under Friar Vincente Campos. But it wasnt until
105 years later, in December of 1754, that the
cornerstone of this majestic church was laid by
the Towns Parish Priest, Friar Florencio Martin,
as well a delegation of town officials and visiting
dignitaries from as far away as Manila, Cebu and
Iloilo. The first mass in the new church was
celebrated on December 22nd, 1864.
2. San Antonio De Padua (1810), Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
One of Iloilos simple yet classic churches, the
stone church of St. Anthony de Padua Parish of
Barotac Nuevo has been a key witness in many of
the towns significant events. Ever since the town
had been declared as a pueblo in 1811,
independent as a former part of Dumangas,
Barotac Nuevo church stood firmly in the heart of
the town, serving as their citadel of faith. Of
stones, brick, and corals, the facade of the church
has been beautifully preserved. The whole church
is now being renovated.

3. San Pedro Apostol (1754), Barotac Viejo, Iloilo
Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, The Apostles
(Barotac Viejo) way of connecting Barotacnons..
4. San Nicolas De Tolentino (1732), Cabatuan, Iloilo
Neoclassical in style, the church of San Nicolas de Tolentino,
patron saint of Cabatuan, was built in 1732, 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.
Read More from Lingganay, a Collection of Iloilos 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 popes tiara flanked
by the Augustinian symbol of the transfixed heart capped by the
bishops hat surrounded by a cord. The upper part of the walls
have 19 circular windows with multicolored glass panes.
5. Immaculate Concepcion (1886), Calinog, Iloilo
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church was initially
constructed with light materials. It was reconstructed by Friar
Cresencio Bravo in 1874 and was blessed on September 27,
1886. Its baroque-style facade has a semicircular arched main
entrance flanked by two openings, niches, pilasters and
pediments. It has one nave and a transept. The pilasters
mounted on the rectangular bases up to the pediment, dividing
the faade into one whole rectangular bases up to the pediment.
A one story building including pilasters and occuli (round small
stain glass windows). The actual occuli are normally indicative
of the second story of the church corresponding to the location
of the organ loft. The front of the church is a plain brick or stone
front. There is a portico over the main door covering its two
additional doors to the side of the main door. This normally also
is indicative of a single nave church with a central aisle with
side aisles. On the front of the church we also find niches on the
ground floor level in which are placed statues of Saint Francis of
Assisi and San Lorenzo Ruiz (The first Filipino Saint).
Source: http://historicphilippines.com/historic-churches-iv/immaculate-
conception-calinog/
6. Immaculate Concepcion (1873), Concepcion, Iloilo
7. San Juan Bautista (1886), Dingle, Iloilo
Iloilo is home to many old churches and one these is the church
of Dingle, a peaceful town in eastern Iloilo. Like other churches
in the province, Dingle Church is of Baroque architecture with
its interiors showing features of the Neoclassical style. The
parish church of San juan de Bautista is simple yet elegant. It is
not lavishly adorned but it is a real beauty.
8. San Geronimo (1590), Duenas, Iloilo
The Duenas Church, hardly ever talked about or mentioned in
books, is one of Iloilos finest examples of Baroque Architecture.
Inspecting the Facade, the overpowering proportion of its
octagon belfries is very evident and gives the church an
extraordinary beauty that is quite different from the other
churches in Iloilo.
9. San Nicolas De Tolentino (1767), Igabaras, Iloilo
The glorious old Church of Igbaras lie in ruins beside the towns
new church. Built in 1767, the old limestone church of Igbaras
used to have a big convent and was one of the longest churches
in Iloilo. Unfortunately, both structures were heavily damaged
during an earthquake in 1948 named Lady Caycay, though
others claim the church got destroyed by a great flood which
ravaged the town. Whats left today is the altar, which has been
transformed into a grotto of the Virgin Mary, and a section of
the church wall, which was rebuilt into a charming adoration
chapel. Stones from the old structure could also be found
scattered around the church grounds and in thefront yard of
nearby homes used as decor.
10. San Nicolas De Tolentino (1879), Lambunao, Iloilo
Long before 1745, Augustinian priests have already established
a small chapel at Malunod, however, due to the mysterious
death of the parish priest, Spanish authorities recommended
the house of worship to be transferred elsewhere. It was decided
that the new church be built near the Lambunao creek.
11. Sto. Nino Church (1878), Lemery, Iloilo City
Sto. Nio Mission Chapel is located behind SM Delgado in Iloilo
City. The chapel is air-conditioned with an enclosed family
room at the back for those attending mass with infants and
small children in tow. The chapel is under the administration of
Sta. Teresita Parish.
12. Nstra. Sra. Del Pilar (1874), Mina, Iloilo
It is only 36 kilometres from our jumping off point at the SM
City Mall parking lot in Iloilo to the Church of Our Lady of the
Pillar in Mina, Iloilo. Its an easy 40 to 45 minute drive.
13. San Miguel Church (1852), San Miguel, Iloilo
The name San Miguel first appears in the early 1800s when it is
said that on May the 8th, 1805 when 60 marauders and bandits
under Magua-ay ransacked the convent and held Padre Nicolas
de Concepcion prisoner. St Michael the Archangel was said to
have appeared and scared off the raiders sparing the town
from further mayhem.

The big church was built in 1852under Capitan Domingo
Salovino and inaugurated in 1882 under Capitan Jose sales.
14. San Juan Bautista (1895), Sara, Iloilo
15. Sta. Barbara Church (1760), Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
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 Countrys history as the
general headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary
forces against Spain in the Visayas during the late 1800s.
16. San Antonio Abad (1810), Tubungan, Iloilo
Built in 1810, the church uniquely has mural carvings of
Spanish victory against Moroccan forces reminscent of the
Battle of Tetuan. Made with with limestones and white corals.
17. San Isidro (1853), Zarraga, Iloilo