12 AMAZING FEATURES OF BACLAYON CHURCH OF BOHOL

Baclayon Church, Bohol

BACLAYON CHURCH OF BOHOL

Baclayon Church has been one of the tourist attractions which guests are visiting Bohol go to see. While I am not a Catholic but I’ve heard a lot about the church, and I am a big fan of historic places. These were some of the main reasons why on my last visit to the island, I made sure to see the renowned site of worship for the Catholics.

The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary Parish popularly known as the Baclayon Church was one of the heavily damaged churches in Bohol when one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the country struck the island last October 15, 2013. The center of the M7.2 earthquake was near Sagbayan, Bohol. Centuries-old churches in Bohol, including seven churches on Baclayon, Dauis, Dimiao, Loay, Loboc, Loon, and Maribojoc, declared as National Cultural Treasures were damaged. The church of Baclayon sustained significant damage with its collapsed porch and bell tower.

While I was discouraged by my tour guide to visit the place, I insisted. During my visit, the frontage of the church was still fenced, and the main door was closed. So we passed through the vestibule to enter the church.

Inside the building, pre-reconstruction activities were ongoing and some portions near the entrance were cordoned as they were not sure yet of the integrity of the structure.

I have noticed several metal posts installed to reinforced some structures. It’s good that the altar was still intact.

FEATURES OF BACLAYON CHURCH

The Baclayon Church is one of the most beautiful churches in the country, and one can’t help but noticed its amazing features.

1. IMPOSING STRUCTURE

While the Church is still undergoing its reconstruction and repair as of this writing, it cannot be denied that this church building is one of the most imposing structures in the Municipality of Baclayon, Bohol.

Located along the main road, one can’t help but gaze at this fantastic structure while passing Baclayon. While the roof of the church is already made of galvanized iron, it didn’t affect much the total look of the church.

2. MASSIVE BELL TOWER

Adjoining the main church building is the massive bell tower towering at 69 feet. This structure was one of the heavily damaged parts of the church during the 2013 earthquake.

The bell tower still houses six original bells. One of the original signals is now displayed at the Church Museum.

Above: The back portion of the church (at the entrance) during the pre-restoration period. Below: The stairs at the ground floor of the convent leading to the museum |

3. RUSTIC EXTERIOR

The massive walls of Baclayon Church are made of coral stones giving the church building an impression of its age. Some details and decoration were simple and made of several heads angels and wings can be found around the building.

4. INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH

The flooring of the church is made of brick tiles which are said to be a replacement for the original flooring made of hardwood. ( Only a few churches today in the Philippines still retained the wooden floorings. One of which is the Lazi Church in Siquijor Island.)

Just like in most old churches in the Philippines some mural paintings can be seen in some parts of the ceiling of the church.

Some wooden panel paintings can also be seen inside the church.

L-R:1. the hallways from the Sacristy leading towards the convent, 2. one of the images inside the church, 3. the Pulpit | Baclayon Church, Bohol

5.BAROQUE AND NEOCLASSICAL PULPIT

I am not sure if this is still being used today, but an elevated beautiful neoclassical and baroque pulpit is still in place at the church. Its gold leaf details and crown design gave this old piece importance and distinction.

6. THE GRAND MAIN ALTARS

The most beautiful part of the church for me is the altar. One can’t help but be amazed the moment you see the platform of Baclayon church. It has three lavishly, and intricately decorated altars were housing several images.

Apart from the silver tabernacle, the main altar has six (6) religious images as follows: St. Joseph on the topmost; Holy Trinity, St. Gabriel, and St Michael, Immaculate Conception, St Joachim and St Anne.

The Church Grand Retablos | Baclayon Church, Bohol

7. LEFT SIDE ALTAR

The Altar on the left side is housing the century-old images of St Lucy on the uppermost and St Blaise and St Anthony of Padua. A small altar is having the image of St. Mary Magdalene can also be found in this part of the church.

8.RIGHT SIDE ALTAR

The right side altar is housing the century-old images of Our Lady of Consolation, St. Monica, St Augustine and St Nicholas de Tolentino. A small altar housing the images of St Isidore and St Joseph can also be found in this part of Baclayon Church.

The Ante Sacristy | Baclayon Church, Bohol

9. THE SACRISTY

The sacristy and baptistry are located near the altar. The Sacristy in Baclayon Church is a large room where a priest prepares for a service, and where vestments and other things used in worship are kept. It is also serving as a storage room for church utensils and some decorations. Undeniably, one can’t help but noticed the doors which were made of hardwood with some detailed carvings showing its dignity through times.

10.THE BAPTISTRY

The Baclayon Church’s baptistry is octagonal. Inside this room is an old image of St. John de Baptist and an altar housing the glass coffin with the Santo Entiero and image of Virgin Mary of Sorrows

The ground level of the Convent is made of stones while the sceond floor is made of wood. It is that the original materials used for the second floor of the convent were light materials like bamboo but later changed to wood. | Baclayon Church, Bohol

11. THE BACLAYON CHURCH CONVENT

The Baclayon convent which serves as the priest’s house is now used as the church’s priceless ecclesiastical museum. The collection inside the museum was fantastic. Items, like made of silver and gold, were beautifully preserved. The convent is a typical bahay-na-bato with its first floor made out of coral stones and while the second floor made out of wood.

Other structures around the convent are remains of an old fortification and a bakery behind the convent which processes egg yolk. Most old churches in the Philippines are made of bricks and coral stones, and they used egg whites as binders. The egg yolks discarded from this process were made into bakery products. Hence most old churches used to have baking facilities.

Please take note that cameras are not allowed inside the museum, and small donations are being asked from guests for the reconstruction of the church.

Baclayon Church, Bohol

12. PARISH SCHOOL

Baclayon Church also has a school building built out of coral stones in the middle of the 19th century, and a wood and stone part made in 1881.

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