10 OLDEST CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, INTRAMUROS, MANILA

Within the walls of the historical Intramuros stands the

oldest church in the Philippines, the San Agustin Church.
Built in 1599 and completed in 1607, it is one of the 4
baroque churches in the Philippines.

2. THE PAOAY CHURCH

This is one of the oldest churches in Philippines. Its

construction started in 1704 and was completed in 1894
by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. Its
construction primarily was intended to withstand
earthquakes. And it could test the strength of the walls,
because the church was damaged by an earthquake in
1706 and 1927. The walls of the church are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by
24 carved and massive buttresses. The design of the church is a mixture of Gothic,
Oriental and Baroque influence.

3. MAASIN CATHEDRAL

One of the oldest churches in the Philippines, Southern

Leyte.

4. BINONDO CHURCH

Is one of the oldest places of Christian worship in the Philippines.

 5. SAN GUILLERMO PARISH CHURCH

San Guillermo Parish Church is one of the oldest and

largest churches in the Philippines. It was accepted as
an Agustinian convent on December 31, 1576 on the lot
owned by Don Guillermo Manabat. The church was restored
by Fr. Manuel Diaz in 1897.

6. PATRICINIO DE MARIA CHURCH

The first buildings were probably ruined during the

Muslim raid of 1782 that destroyed almost all the
entire town. Fr. Ambrosio Otero started the
reconstruction of the new church in 1783 and Fr. Julian
Bermejo finished the church and had a stone fence
built to enclose the convent and the church as an
added protective measure. In 1880 an old organ was installed and to this day, the
organ is still at the choir loft, although it is in danger of getting worn out.

7. NIO

Another downtown landmark is the Basilica Minore del

Santo Nio. It is the second oldest in the Philippines
after Bohol's Baclayon Church. It houses the country's
oldest religious icon, the image of Seor Sto.
Nio (Holy Child Jesus).

8. SAN NICOLAS CHURCH, ILOCOS NORTE, PHILIPPINES

San Nicolas Catholic Church built in 1701 is one of the oldest

buildings in this province. Its original structure is one of the
must see places of the town. The Church and the attached
Sta. Rosa Academy Building, the well preserved Municipal
Hall and the old Town Plaza sprawled between them
constitute the heart of the town center. These buildings and
structures are originally built and continue to be festooned
with earthen bricks, which is among the products of the surviving local earthenware
industry.

9. SAN JOSE CHURCH IN BASCO,BATANES

Definitely on the must see list. Saleng and I are

targeting an early 2013 visit, now, I need to work
double time for the travel funds. haha! I will also share
my friend Malous picture of Batanes churches on the
next series of blog post.

10. OUR LADY OF MANAOAG

The image of Our Lady of Manaoag and her bejewelled

crown are considered priceless.

10 OLD CHURCHES IN THE

PHILIPPINES
 1. OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, BACLAYON, BOHOL

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be one of the
oldest churches in the Philippines. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit build churches in the region;
although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of
stone buildings that now surround the church.

2. SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH, INTRAMUROS,

MANILA

Within the walls of the historical Intramuros stands the oldest church in the Philippines, the San
Agustin Church. Built in 1599 and completed in 1607, it is one of the 4 baroque churches in the
Philippines.

3. THE PAOAY CHURCH

This is one of the oldest churches in Philippines. Its construction started in 1704 and was
completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo. Its construction
primarily was intended to withstand earthquakes. And it could test the strength of the walls,
because the church was damaged by an earthquake in 1706 and 1927. The walls of the
church are 1.67 meters thick and are supported by 24 carved and massive buttresses. The
design of the church is a mixture of Gothic, Oriental and Baroque influence.

4. LUCBAN CHURCH

Is one of the oldest churches we have in Quezon province.

5. SAN GUILLERMO PARISH CHURCH

San Guillermo Parish Church is one of the oldest and largest churches in the Philippines. It
was accepted as an Agustinian convent on December 31, 1576 on the lot owned by Don
Guillermo Manabat.
 6. PATRICINIO DE MARIA CHURCH

The first buildings were probably ruined during the Muslim raid of 1782 that destroyed
almost all the entire town. Fr. Ambrosio Otero started the reconstruction of the new church in
1783 and Fr. Julian Bermejo finished the church and had a stone fence built to enclose the
convent and the church as an added protective measure. In 1880 an old organ was installed
and to this day, the organ is still at the choir loft, although it is in danger of getting worn out.

7. NIO

Another downtown landmark is the Basilica Minore del Santo Nio. It is the second oldest in
the Philippines after Bohol's Baclayon Church. It houses the country's oldest religious icon,
the image of Seor Sto. Nio
 8. SAN NICOLAS
CHURCH,
ILOCOS NORTE,
PHILIPPINES

San Nicolas Catholic Church built in 1701 is one of the oldest buildings in this province. Its
original structure is one of the must see places of the town. The Church and the attached
Sta. Rosa Academy Building, the well preserved Municipal Hall and the old Town Plaza
sprawled between them constitute the heart of the town center. These buildings and
structures are originally built and continue to be festooned with earthen bricks, which is
among the products of the surviving local earthenware industry.

9. ST. JAMES FORTRESS

There are still many churches, Catholic churches, cathedrals and basilicas in the country and
that makes the Philippines the only Catholic country in Asia.
 10. BASEY CHURCH SAMAR

The above St. Michael Archangel Church of Basey adds to the colorful history of the
town. Built by the Jesuit priests on the late 17th century, it is one of the most beautifully
preserved church in Samar. It was transferred to the care of Augustinians in 1768, then to
Franciscans in 1795. It served as meeting room and theater during the Japanese occupation,
then a relocation site during the American liberation.
 10 OLD
CHURCHES IN THE
PHILIPPINES

NAME: MARK ELIJAH M. SANTOS

GRADE&SECTION: 9-ST.ELIZABETH
TEACHER: MRS. MARITES G. NARCISO
 10 OLD
CHURCHES IN THE
PHILIPPINES

NAME: JAYNA MARIE A. DELA CRUZ

GRADE&SECTION: 9-ST.ELIZABETH
TEACHER: MRS. MARITES G. NARCISO