For an island mostly known unfortunately for its black magic and witchcraft, Siquijor sure has some of the most beautiful churches I've seen. People flock to the island during the Holy Week for the wrong reasons: trying getting a glimpse of the black magic. But I hope folks who find themselves on this beautiful island during the culmination of the Lenten season would do the Filipino tradition of "visita iglesia" instead.

Lazi church, St Isidore the Farmer

Lazi Church 

One of the most beautiful of the Siquijor churches is the St. Isidore the Farmer church in the north western part of the island in the town of Lazi. The baroque church stands across the Lazi Convent, at one time considered to be the largest convent in the archipelago. Large acacia trees surround both the church and the convent.

Lazi church interior and wooden floor

Augustinians Priests under Patron San Isidro Labrador in 1857 started building the church in 1857 and was finished around 1884. The church was build using coral stones and hard wood.  The hard wood floor survived until this day. Its the only church in Siquijor with its wooden floor intact.

wooden main door

Macapilay Church, San Agustin Parish 

Another beautiful church is found in San Juan in the southern part of the island where most of the beach resorts are.

The century old San Agustin Parish Church (also known as Macapilay Church) is situated in a small hill overlooking the Capilay Spring Park. It was once part of the Siquijor parish but was established as a separate parish in 1863. Today the church was shown evidence of modernization but the coral stone belfry, although the roof is dilapidated, shows its colonial past.

Macapilay Church

Siquijor church, St. Francis of Assisi 

And of course, who can miss the St. Francis of Assisi church in the town of Siquijor? Its the one that practically welcomes you when you set foot on the island of Siquijor.

Siquijor Church

The Siquijor church was built in 1781 and is the oldest church in the island province. It was made of coral stone and used to have a nipa roof.

Siquijor church facade

Like most colonial churches, its belfry is separate from the church. The bell tower is located at a more elevated area few meters away from the church.

Siquijor church bell tower

The bell tower most like also served as a watch tower, also very common with colonial churches .