A growing heritage guide to Panay's churches. We will build this collection town by town using government, heritage, church and academic sources whenever available. Dates and historical claims are verified before publication.
The present church was begun in 1787 and completed in 1797. Its history includes service as a defensive fortress, later damage and rebuilding, and restoration completed in the early 1960s. It is part of UNESCO's serial World Heritage property, the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
The present coral-stone church was constructed from 1855 to 1869 under Fr. Tomas Santaren. Its distinctive pediment depicts the Battle of Tetuan. The church was damaged by the 1948 earthquake and later restored; NHCP records its historical-landmark status.
The present stone church grew from plans approved in the 1860s and is known for its Gothic-Renaissance character and images of sixteen female saints. The NHCP marker also records José Rizal's visit in 1896.
The cathedral was built in 1874 under Mariano Cuartero, the first Bishop of Jaro. It was damaged by the 1948 earthquake and repaired in the 1950s; Graciano López Jaena was baptized here in 1856.
Dumangas has one of Panay's oldest mission histories. The NHCP marker traces an early church and convent to 1572 and records later rebuilding, including the church completed in the late nineteenth century.
The NHCP records a church built in 1774, later heavily damaged by a typhoon, and the present church constructed in 1884. It is also famous for its enormous historic bell cast from coins donated by townspeople.
Malinao became a parish in 1798. According to its NHCP marker, the present stone church was built from 1883 to 1889, later served as a Japanese headquarters during World War II, and was damaged by the 1948 earthquake.
The NHCP marker at Hamtic Church records the Augustinian mission established in Hamtic in 1581 under the patronage of Santa Monica. Hamtic later became Antique's first provincial capital before the capital moved to San Jose de Buenavista.
Next entries can expand through Iloilo, Antique, Capiz and Aklan. Each church will be connected to its town or city so visitors can continue exploring nearby history, barangays, food and places to discover.
We intentionally start with a small verified collection rather than publishing unverified church histories.Primary references include the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Registry, National Museum of the Philippines, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, government/LGU sources, diocesan or parish records, and credible academic research.