MOST VISITED CHURCHES

IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE
CHURCHES
One of Spain’s objectives in colonizing the Philippines was to establish the
Catholic religion among the Filipinos. Therefore, missionaries were among
the first Spanish colonizers (1565), and the Catholic faith was the state
religion for the next three centuries.
In early history there was no separation of church and state in the
Philippines, and in most cases local parish priests played the dual role of
civil official and ecclesiastical leader. Not until the end of the Spanish
administration (1898) was there a true separation of church and state and
only then were other religions permitted.
THE FOUR BAROQUE CHURCHES OF THE
PHILIPPINES 

• are classified as UNESCO world heritage sites as they

have important cultural significance and influence on
future architectural design in the Philippines. The
churches display certain characteristics that express a
‘fortress baroque,' such as thick walls and high facades
that offer protection from marauders and natural disasters
alike.
THE FOUR BAROQUE CHURCHES OF THE
PHILIPPINES:

• San Agustin Church in Manila

• Santa Maria Church Church of Nuestra Señora de
la Asuncion in Santa Maria
• Paoay Church
• Miagao Church
 SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH IN MANILA
•  also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la
Consolación y Correa or the Immaculate Conception Parish
• A site within the district of Intramuros 
• Completed in 1607, it is the oldest stone church in the country.
• The first San Agustin Church was the first religious structure constructed
by the Spaniards on the island of Luzon.Made of bamboo and nipa
• In 1587 the impermanent earliest building in wood and palm fronds was
replaced by a stone church and monastery in stone, the latter becoming
the Augustinian mother house in the Philippines.
 SANTA MARIA CHURCH

• The Santa Maria Church commonly known as the Church of Our

Lady of the Assumption, is located in the municipality of Santa
Maria, Ilocos Sur.
• Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria with its
convento are on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall.
• It is a reminder of the four centuries of Spanish domination of that
area and a unique structure with a diversified architectural design of
bricks and mortar.
SANTA MARIA CHURCH
 PAOAY CHURCH

• The Paoay Church, also known as the Church of San Agustín, is

located in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
• the most outstanding example in the Philippines of an Earthquake
Baroque style architecture.
• The massive coral stone bell tower, which was added half a century
after the church was completed, stands at some distance from the
church, again as a protection against damage during earthquakes.
 MIAGAO CHURCH

• The Miagao Church, also known as the Church of Santo Tomas

de Villanueva, stands on the highest point in the town of
Miagao, Iloilo.
• The sumptuous facade epitomizes the Filipino transfiguration
of western decorative elements
• The two bell towers are asymmetrical on account of them
being designed by two different priests on two separate
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (MALOLOS
BULACAN)
SANTO NINO DE BASILICA (CEBU)
PAOAY CHURCH OR SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH
(ILOCOS NORTE)
CHURCH OF SANTO TOMAS DE VILLANUEVA
(ILOILO)
NUESTRA SENORA DE LA PORTERIA PARISH
CHURCH (DARAGA ALBAY)
INTRAMUROS MANILA
ST. JAMES PARISH CHURCH (DAPITAN CITY,
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE)
CHURCH OF THE ANGRY CHRIST (VICTORIA,
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL)
FESTIVALS
ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL
SINULOG FESTIVAL
DINAGYANG FESTIVAL
PARADA NG LECHON FESTIVAL
PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL
MASSKARA FESTIVAL
ALIWAN GRAND FIESTA MANILA
BANAUE RICE TERRACES
CHOCOLATE HILLS