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This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

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December 10, 2009

iloilo: molo church (st. anne parish) - the feminist church


Molo Church (Parish of St. Anne)
church facade at sunset

In front of Molo's plaza stands an architectural gem whose red spires tower over the Iloilo skyline. The spires, one of the symbols associated with Iloilo, are so distinctive you can even spot them from the nearby island of Guimaras on a clear day.

St. Anne Parish Church, or more popularly known as Molo Church, was built in 1831. Like most churches of its time, it was built using the most readily available building material around: coral rocks and limestone. The church's facade features Gothic and Romanesque elements and its the only Gothic church outside of Manila.

Bandstand
plaza's bandstand

After our visit to Miagao church, we decided to wait for the sunset in Molo plaza. It was a perfect place to lounge around and wait for the church to open its doors for the evening mass.

Main Aisle
main aisle

I went in as soon as the doors were opened. Marveling at the richly decorated interior, it was easy to understand why this church has earned the moniker "The Feminist Church". Aside from the patron saint being a woman, the church's main aisle is lined by the statues of 16 women saints. Even the soft pastel hues of the church walls and ceiling seem to assert that moniker.

Altar
gothic altar

The altar features a intricate retablo with Gothic trimmings. At the time of our visit, interior were being cleaned for the Christmas season, hence the scaffolds on the altar and around some of the statues of the women saints. I would have love to take more photos of the interiors but the mass soon started.

Side Altar
side altar

We stayed around after the mass and was lucky to catch the moon above one of the spires. The tungsten lamps from across the plaza accentuated the features of the stone facade.

Facade at Night
moon over spire

Another shot from the plaza sealed my impression that the church is one of Iloilo's most beautiful.

Molo Church at Night
Molo church at night

trivia on molo's beautiful church
  • The church has survived WWII with minimal damage. It was an evacuation center during that time. It was declared as a National Landmark in 1992.
  • Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine's national hero, made several visits to the church to view its biblical paintings. Sadly those paintings do not exist anymore.
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Lantaw
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10 comments:

Unknown said...

ayy,these are breathtaking photos! the night shots are stunning---old churches are definitely one of our national treasures.

Chyng said...

Wow beautiful ang mga churches sa Iloilo! Ü

Lantaw said...

@luna, @Chyng, daming heritage treasures ang iloilo, just like cebu. centro din kasi ng Spanish colonization...

Photo Cache said...

your captures are amazing. our churches are really outstanding. this one looks like well preserved.

Anonymous said...

i've never been to iloilo. looks like this church is one of those best reasons to pay that province a visit some time. nice shots! you've captured the beauty of its architecture.
ang husay!

bertN said...

That is one impressive church, inside and outside! Your night shots made it even more so.

Jerick said...

the church looks even better at night!

hEda Villanueva said...

oh WOW very amazing Shots!! i LOOOOVE it!!!

Anonymous said...

pwede ko po ba makuha contact no. ng church

Lantaw said...

Sorry I don't have the contact info

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