Old Church in the Philippines

The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia (the other being East Timor), and is the third largest Catholic country in the world.

It’s the top Christian country in Asia, and the fifth largest in the world.

Over a span of centuries, grand places of worship have been built all over the country. Here are some of the most beautiful churches we’ve seen in the Philippines.

1. St. John The Baptist Parish Church
Liliw, Laguna

More known for its thriving shoe industry, Liliw also has the St. John the Baptist Church quietly hidden in one of its quaint streets. Perched regally on top of a small hill, the first Church of Liliw was built in 1605 and has survived many natural tragedies, like fire and earthquakes.

How To Get To St. John the Baptist Parish Church:

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Laguna. At the Sta. Cruz jeepney terminal, ride a Majayjay-bound jeepney. Then hop on another jeepney towards Liliw. Travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Another options is to ride a bus bound for Lucena/Bicol from Manila. You can then alight at San Pablo Medical and take a jeepney towards San Pablo town proper. Ride a jeepney bound for Liliw at the terminal adjacent to San Pablo Church. Travel time using this route is also approximately 3 hours.

2. Saint Peter and Paul Parish Church
Calasiao, Pangasinan

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, also known as Calasiao Church, is one of the largest and most preserved churches in the province of Pangasinan. Constructed and completed between the 17th and 19th centuries, the church has a Baroque style architecture and was declared as a National Cultural Treasure in 2001 by the National Museum of the Philippines.

How To Get To Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church:

Different bus lines such as Victory Liner Inc. have daily trips to Lingayen, Pangasinan via NLEX. Remind the conductor/driver to drop you off at the town of Calasiao. Travel time is approximately 5 hours.

3. Cathedral of our lady of the most holy rosary Dipolog City, Zamboanga del norte

Dressed in a creamy yellow, this cathedral stands proud at the heart of Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte. The cathedral’s doorway is accentuated with several arches, emphasizing its massive exterior. Do not be fooled though, this recently-built church is a reconstruction of the old.

How To Get To The Cathedral of Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary:

The fastest way to reach this beautiful church is via a plane ride from Manila (MNL) to Dipolog Airport (DPL) which takes about an hour and a half. From the airport, hail a tricycle to take you to the church which is located in the downtown area.

4. Basilica del Sañto niñoCebu city, Visayas

The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebú(English: Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebú) commonly known as the Santo Niño Basilica, is a minor basilica in Cebu City in the Philippines that was founded in the 1565 by Frays Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. and Diego de Herrera, O.S.A.. The oldest Roman Catholicchurch in the country, it is built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebúwas found during the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi. The icon, a statue of the Child Jesus, is the same one presented by Ferdinand Magellan to the chief consort of Rajah Humabon upon the royal couple's christening on April 14, 1521. It was found by a soldier forty years later, preserved in a wooden box, after Legazpi had razed a local village.^[1] When Pope Paul VI made the church a basilica in 1965, he said it is "the symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines."^{[3]-Wikipedia}

5. Santa Maria Church & Its Black Maria

Dusk was quickly falling as we arrived at the last of the three churches we visited in Siquijor. A boombox blasting out Lady Gaga songs was trying but failing miserably to brighten up the now solemn atmosphere looming over the town of Maria as early evening encroaches on the mystic island 

The Church of the Divine Providence is something of a legend amongst all the churches in the island. Its stone façade which looks to be made of limestone looks as sturdy as the day it was built but is as weather-stained as any old church. Small plants have already taken hold on its cracks and lichens seemed intent ondyeing the walls from cream to black.