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Old Churches
Cebu never disappoints.
It boasts more than its awe-inspiring natural resources, it is also a melting pot of history!
Being the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, it is not a surprise that Cebu is the home of several beautiful and historic churches.
Famous for its grandiose architectural design, both tourists and locals alike are taken aback and gaze at these buildings in reverence and astonishment.
Basilica Minore Sto. Niño
This towering structure, known as the church of the miraculous Señor Santo Niño de Cebu, blends Baroque,
Muslim, and Romanesque architectural influences. Cebu’s oldest church, given the honorific title “Basilica Minore” in 1965, retains some of the original stone texture and natural color it had in its 1730 construction.
Located right in the heart of downtown Cebu City, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño started out as a church of light materials established back in the mid-1500s, probably by Fr. Diego de Herrera, said Balaanong Bahandi, a book on the Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
When this early structure was destroyed by fire in 1566, another one was built to replace it in 1571. Ten years after that, the foundation of the first stone building, which took 27 years to finish only to be reduced to ashes on May 8, 1628, was laid.
Simala Church
Simala Church in Cebu rose to fame over the past few years.
This monastery is known for its castle-like church, proudly
standing on a hill in Lindogon village in Sibonga. It is located in
the village of Lindogon, but because its usual access is via Simala,
people eventually called it Simala Church. I visit this church often, as
my uncle who is a priest usually celebrates mass here. I learned some
interesting information about Simala Church from him that I am going to share to you in
this Simala Church DIY Travel Guide with itinerary and budget.
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
A block away from the basilica is the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, ecclesiastical seat of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Established as a diocese on August 14, 1595, Cebu was elevated into a metropolitan archdiocese on April 28, 1934.
The structure is cruciform and has
thick and squat walls, and shows baroque-rococo influences in
the bas reliefs of floral motifs and two griffins facing each other from the
opposite ends of its trefoil-shaped pediment.
Work on the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral began in 1689 but
it was only the seventh construction attempt that was successfully
completed in 1909 under Bishop Juan Bautista Gorordo, the first Filipino
bishop in Cebu. The structure was damagedduring US air raids in the Philippines in 1944 and only its facade, walls, and belfry remain intact.
Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Parish Church
The church has a magnificent gilt wood “retablo” or altar piece with nine niches for the estofado images. This retablo is the most prominent piece of art in the church interior. On the left side of the church is a cemetery and parish convent on the right. Farther right from the church is a square belfry with five huge bells. Back of this belfry is the Escuela Catolica (Catholic School), which is a wooden building with double stair cases. The parish museum showcases old vestments of priests, original antique images and century-old records.
Embellished with Rococo and Baroque details from the holy water fonts to the grand altars, this 18th-century haven has got to be one of the finest and most perfectly preserved heritage sites in all of the country. The church has been declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999. It was also named as one of the National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2001. Lastly, the church is also nominated to be part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church
The church is connected to the parish house or convento that still has its original clay-tiled roof. Across the road from the church is the former mortuary chapel with a pediment decorated with a relief of a human skeleton. North of the complex is a small road that leads to the old cemetery.
The glorious ruins of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church are truly a must see, when visiting Oslob. Built in 1830, this magnificent old church has, after all, aged gracefully, amid all the catastrophes it has faced. Made of limestone, Oslob Church has plenty of mesmerizing features that are definitely worth a few snaps, such as its lofty bell, great sea views, and intricate carvings.
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish is a gorgeous Byzantine architectural jewel that simply wows its visitors with its Greco-Roman altar, lavish interior decorations and wonderfully built twin bell towers. Deemed as one of the most beautiful and well-known churches in all of Cebu, this place of worship will please your eyes with its coral-stone fence and wondrous statues of the 12 Apostles.
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church and convent was destroyed by Muslim raiders in 1622. The construction began in 1860, continued in 1865, and finished in 1875. The church's roof was destroyed by a typhoon in 1876.
The wide Graeco-Tuscan facade with Muslim decorations has a double-indented arched main entrance,a blind wheel window under the upper arch, baroque pediment. The church's patio is surrounded by a fence of coral stone and wrought iron. It has 12 statues of the 12 apostles painted white except for Judas, standing alone on a pedestal in front of the convent, painted black.
ST. Michael Archangel Parish
St. Michael the Archangel Church was founded on October 16, 1733 and was constructed by Fr. Mateo Perez from 1803 to 1836.
With its high artistic quality, rich ornamentation and symbolism of fine masonry, it’s easy to see why tons of people in Cebu have fallen in love with Argao’s St. Michael the Archangel Church. An edifice of impressive dimensions, the Hispano-Filipino style stone church will appease your senses with its outstanding art, neo-baroque altar, pipe organ as well as its historic and romantic aura. Founded in 1703, The San Miguel Arcangel or St. Michael the Archangel Church of Argao is an edifice of impressive dimensions. This structure set in stone is 72 meters long, 16 meters wide, and 10 meters high.
St. Peter and Paul Shrine
The original church was built under Spanish rule and was used as a first stop for priests entering the country. Here they would learn the language and culture before being sent out to various parts of the Philippines. During Holy Week the tourists on the island swell and it is not uncommon for as many as 20,000 people to crowd in and around the Church for the various festivities.The church who honors Saint Peter and Paul, is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines
– During 1628, the original church was ruined by Moro raids and 800 Bantayanons were taken as slaves by the Moro Pirates. St. Peter and Paul Parish is one of the oldest in the Philippines. and a standing historical structure in Bantayan Island.
St. Tomas Villanueva
Sto. Tomas de Villanueva parish church is undoubtedly the greatest landmark in Danao City. It was constructed 84 years later after Danao was established as a parish in 1671 (as adopted by the church) under the patronage of Señor Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, thus the name of the church was dedicated. Though the liturgical feast day of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva is celebrated every 22nd of September, by tradition Danawanons celebrate the feast day of their patron saint every Monday right after the 3rd Sunday of September.
