8 Unique Churches You Should Include in Your Visita Iglesia List

Isinulat ni Rodel Ambas/Lamudi PH and MyProperty.ph 

For over 450 years, Filipino Catholics have been practicing the tradition of Visita Iglesia or the Church Visit during Holy Week, commencing on the early evening of Maundy Thursday until the morning of Easter Sunday.

First introduced in the Philippines by the Augustinian missionaries, the tradition goes back to the early Christian communities in the Roman Empire, which commemorated the suffering and death of Jesus Christ in seven parts—hence, the custom of visiting seven churches.

​Some devotees, especially those living in the nearby provinces outside the fringes of Metro Manila, spent hours traveling to the metro just to visit some of the most famous and historic churches in the city like the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, Quiapo Church, Mount Carmel Shrine, St. Joseph Parish Church, and San Sebastian Church. However, there are a lot of underrated and unusual churches patrons should consider including on their list. We dish out some of the other noteworthy churches across the country worth the stopover. Make sure to pay them a visit if you are living nearby.

Baclayon Church
Baclayon, Bohol

Image via Shutterstock

​In Bohol lies the Baclayon Church, one of the oldest Christian settlements in the province and in the Philippines. Also called the La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church, Baclayon Church was listed as one of the most beautiful churches in the country by Lamudi. It was built out of coral stones, with walls decorated with cherubs. Founded by the Jesuits and completed in 1727, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Outside the church is a quadrangular watchtower serving as Baclayon’s bell tower. It still rings six of its nine original bells.

Sta. Teresa de Avila Church
Talisay City, Cebu

Photo by Junovsky Ponteras III via Flickr Creative Commons

The Parish of Sta. Teresa de Avila was struck by a typhoon 29 years after its completion in 1848, destroying most of its roof and canopy. It took until 1881 to have this Graeco-Roman church restored. The church is uniquely built with its recessed main entrance and pediment, covered porch supported by two columns, and a fenced terrace that connects its twin bell towers.

Paoay Church
Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Photo via Shutterstock

​If one church could really stand the test of time, it may be this church from Ilocos Norte. Paoay Church survived two earthquakes—in 1865 and 1885. It has 24 massive buttresses on both sides, with its back designed as an interpretation of the European baroque. No wonder it survived the quakes almost unscathed. Each buttress has a niche on top, resembling the Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia. Paoay Church’s construction, which was almost two decades in the making, was intended for it to withstand earthquakes. The church also boasts a three-storey bell tower made of coral stone.

Betis Church
Guagua, Pampanga

Photo by Rhonaramos via Wikimedia Commons

Another baroque-inspired church, Betis Church was built in 1660 and was made out of light materials composed of mainly wood and stucco. Because its materials could easily catch fire, it was rebuilt using concrete materials in 1770. What makes this a must for your Visita Iglesia list are its ceiling and mural paintings depicting the life of Jesus Christ. Betis Church is also known for its Artesian wall, which served as a source of water for Betis townsfolk. The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum and the National Commission for Culture and Arts in 2001.

Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
Diliman, Quezon City

Photo by Ramon FVelasquez by Wikimedia Commons

Erected in the 1950s, the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice sits inside the University of the Philippines in Diliman, making it popularly known as the UP Chapel. It was designed by the late National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. The architecture of the chapel is unique on its own, as it is the first to have the altar in the center, with rows of pews circling it. It has a total of 14 door-less entrances. A saucer-shaped roof covers the place. Outside the chapel are seven gardens signifying the communion, love and friendship, family, religions, justice and peace, mother and healing, and eternal life.

Callao Cave Chapel
Peñablanca, Cagayan

Photo via Shutterstock

If you are looking for the most unusual church to visit, Callao Cave Chapel could be it. Located at the entrance of the limestone cave, the chapel screams nature with its rock formations forming the backdrop of the altar. The rows of crafted pews are illuminated by a skylight passing through a large opening at the cave ceiling. The cathedral-like room is one of the seven chambers of the cave. The place is ideal for meditating while at the same time feeling the presence of nature around you.

San Salvador del Mundo Church
Caraga, Davao Oriental

Photo by Olan214 via Wikimedia Commons

Popularly known as the Caraga Church, the San Salvador del Mundo Church was built on an elevated land overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Since its completion in 1884, the church has endured harsh calamities and has undergone several renovations. Limestone blocks, corals, and wood were used in building what was first designed as a fortress church. Inside the church are several artifacts dating back from the Spanish colonial era including a 200-year-old church bell, an antique statue of San Isidro Labrador, and centuries-old Baptismal records.

Santuario del Santo Cristo
Blumentritt St., San Juan City

Photo by Iannekleina via Wikimedia Commons

The 400-year-old Santuario del Santo Cristo was built in the 1600s on a land donated to the Dominicans. Call it resilient, but this church was destroyed twice only to be rebuilt again. It was a witness to several bloodsheds that happened in the course of the Philippines’ history. It was first dismantled during the Chinese insurrection in 1639. After being restored in 1641, it was again wrecked when Great Britain occupied Manila in the Seven Years’ War. In 1774, the church and the convent were rebuilt. The compound was one of the places where the Katipuneros sought shelter during the 1898 revolution against the Spanish regime.

These are but some of the culture- and history-rich churches devotees should definitely consider traveling to for Visita Iglesia this year. There are a lot more, and maybe some are just a few walks away from your home. Remember, you do not need to go out of your town to observe the tradition. Across the Philippines are beautiful, rustic, and historic churches waiting to be visited. Make sure to consider these places along with Lamudi’s list of 30 beautiful churches in your next Visita Iglesia.


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