The Church of Patrocinio de Maria, Boljoon Cebu

About the Church of Patrocinio de Maria, Boljoon Cebu

Located in a beautiful and serene cove with just a narrow amount of land between the
sea and the rocky hills behind, Boljoon is a town that traces its history back a good 400-500+ years. At
some point, it was frequently being raided by pirates from the South and when the Spaniards were in
power, a whole series of watch towers along the coast were set up to warn of invaders. Boljoon has a
watch tower not just near the church but also some 200+ meters up in the hills behind the church.

This particular structure seems to date back to the late 1700’s, after earlier structures
were burned or destroyed, so this church is some 230+ years old. Rather simple in design with a clay
roof made from materials in the hills nearby, it is nevertheless a wonderful example of the many
churches that dotted the Eastern coast of Cebu during the Spanish period.

The first thing that strikes you when you enter the church is a beautifully painted wooden
ceiling. Much of the church is quite literally falling apart, but an impressive effort is being undertaken by
a group of local residents to restore the church to its former glory. The weightly roof of hand-made tiles
is slowly being replaced with tiles made from the same material, in the manner that the original tiles
were also crafted. The windows of the church and interiors will be fixed next, as funds are raised for this
historical preservation…
 Santa monica parish church

About Santa monica parish church

Sta. Monica Parish Church stands as a historical Landmark of the first evangelization of
Christian Faith in the island of Panay, Philippines. In 1566, Padre Martin de Rada, an Augustinian
missionary, was the first to proclaim the Gospel in the island at the river bank of Bamban, now known as
the town of Panay, Capiz.

In 1581, the Spanish missionaries established Panay as a parish which had six (6) visitas;
Suyson (Ivisan, Capiz), Aranguen (Pres. Roxas, Capiz), Sibra (Pilar, Capiz), Capis (Roxas City), Ipiong
(Panitan), and Divingdin (Dao).

Of the 2,830 Augustians who came to the Philippines during the 333 years of Spanish rule,
around 84 friars had served as minister in the town of Panay from 1566 until 1898. In 1581, Fr.
Bartolome de Alcantara, O.S.A. was named first Prior with Fr. Agustin Camacho, O.S.A. as his companion;
and in 1895, Fr. Gregorio Hermida, O.S.A. served as the last curate with Fr. Jose Garmendia, O.S.A.
 A significant milestone, however, happened. In 1997, the Santa Monica Parish Church of
Panay was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in its Resolution
No. 3, series of 1997. The installed historical marker reads: “Pan-ay, originally called Bamban, was
established in 1572. The first church, constructed in 1774 by Fr. Miguel Murguia, was heavily damaged
by typhoon in 1875. The presents church was constructed in 1884 under the direction of Fr. Jose Beloso
who townspeople. This bell, the biggest in the Philippines measure seven feet in diameter, five feet in
height, and weighs 10,400 kilograms. By virtue of NHI Board Resolution No. 3, S. 1997, this church is
declared a national historical landmark.”