Beautiful Bohol Churches

According to Yoyoy Villame, on March 16, 1521, Magellan accidentally landed in Limasawa Island while looking for the Indonesian Spices Islands. Spain made Cebu its main operation center with Bohol as its adjunct base. The Jesuits and Augustinian Recoletos were assigned to evangelize Bohol.

When Spain sold the Philippines to America in 1898, the churches were not sieged. Three of those built are considered as examples of the Jesuits Baroque style. 1. Baclayon’s Immaculate Conception de la Virgen Maria, built in 1596 is Bohol’s oldest church. It has a church museum which contains a remarkable collection of centuries old musical instruments, cantatas, liturgical items including a very big music book in Latin. This is also the oldest stone church in our nation. Its watch tower belfry was badly damaged in 2013 by a 7.2 earthquake but through bayanihan Bol-anon efforts, it was totally repaired in 2021. From afar, the tower now seemed to be leaning but not as tilted as the leaning tower of Pisa, Italy.

2. The Tagbilaran Jesuit St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral renowned for combining gothic and baroque designs. The giant size wooden doors, super carvings and frescoes are worth seeing. 3. The Maribojoc Santa Cruz Parish Church is the youngest of the Bohol Jesuit churches as it opened only 1767. It is a national cultural treasure and a national historical landmark.

The Alburquerque Santa Monica Parish church built by the Augustinians in 1869 is considered one of Bohol’s most beautiful. The wooden retablos are fabulous. You can order the retablos from local wood carvers nearby. Many say the Loon Nuestra Señora de la Luz Parish church is the most artistically Augustinian designed, with its two bell towers. It is a wonderland at night when all the lights are on.

The Loboc St. Peter the Apostle Parish church is associated with the nearby Loboc River Cruise Tarsiers and is the home of the famous Loboc children’s choir. One of the most popular is the Dauis Assumption Parish Church. They say that pirates who were attacked 300 years ago took refuge in the church. The attack lasted for days and the faithful inside the church were already starving and thirsty when a well suddenly appeared. This well still exists and is considered miraculous with power to heal. This summer, let’s visit Bohol, no visas needed.