Baclayon, Bohol

The Church of Immaculada Concepcion in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest in the Philippines. Construction began in 1717 where some 200 native forced laborers (obras pias) cut and dragged coral blocks from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in position. Millions of white eggs were said to have been used as cement. The current building was completed in 1727. In the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a new facade- pictured here- and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church. Old broken glasses no longer can be replaced. The colored panes locally available now are different- pattern is limited only to the basic quatrefoil "florentine" patterns and color choices are only 3: amber, green and blue. The original ones which date back to 16th century are thicker and deeper in color. the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines and is located in Bohol, in the Visayas region. The construction was started by the Jesuits in 1596. As is happening in most grand historical structures in the country, the church is in partial disrepair. The first Spanish missionaries or doctrineros in the region, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, first settled in Baclayon in 1595. Shortly after their arrival, a visita was erected on the spot. Although Baclayon was the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries, fear of Moro mauraders soon forced them to move their headquarters more inland, to Loboc. Only in 1717, Baclayon became a parish, and construction of a new church commenced. Some 200 native forced laborers constructed the church from coral stones, which they took from the sea, cut into square blocks, and piled on to each other. They used bamboo to move and lift the stones in position, and used the white of a million eggs as to cement them together. The current building was completed in 1727. The church obtained a large bell in 1835. In the Baclayon church is a dungeon, which was used to punish natives who violated the rules of the Roman Catholic church. Baclayon is some 6 km east of Tagbilaran City. Catch a bus or jeepney in Tagbilaran, going into the direction of Baclayon. You may also find a tricycle willing to bring you there. Inmaculada Concepción Parish The mission of Baclayon was established by two Jesuits Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez who arrived in Bohol on 17 November 1596. They came from Cebu. Torres reports that he could not find a decent place to celebrate Mass, there wasn't even a serviceable table in the dwelling they stayed in. The Jesuit convinced the inhabitants to build a church, which they accomplished in no time. This was most likely a bamboo and thatch church. Baclayon served at one time as the residentia or center of the Bohol missions, where the superior resided. Baclayon was one of two towns that did not join the Diwata revolt (1621), remaining steadfast in the Christian faith.

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Bohol Philippines