Dasmarinas Church - Cavite

Dasmariñas Church has been the symbol of success and even failure for its devotees. Throughout time, the church stood witness to countless bloody engagements that almost wiped out the population of its townsfolk.

Dasmarinas Church

Dasmarinas Church details

Located at Don Placido Campos Avenue, Dasmariñas City in the Cavite Province, Dasmarinas Church is one of the Spanish-colonial era churches of the province. 

Dasmariñas ChurchDasmariñas City, Cavite

Ironically the town's name Dasmariñas came from the name of an ill-fated Spanish Governor-General. Gomez Perez Dasmariñas served as the Governor-General of the Philippines from 1590 until his murder in 1593.

The NHI marker of Dasmarinas Church

Dasmarinas Church was built sometime between 1866 and 1867 when the town of Dasmariñas was founded by the Recollect Fathers. The church is also called Immaculate Conception Church. During the Spanish times, the convent of the church was the seat of the civil government. 

Dasmariñas Church altar

Unlike the other Spanish-era churches that either crumbled to the wrath of nature or succumbed to the destructiveness of war, Dasmariñas Church withstood all those calamities. The church, however, stood witness to the horrors of war throughout Philippine history. 

The image of the Immaculate Conception is beautifully carved doors

Dasmarinas Church watched silently as half the population of the town was wiped out after the bloody Battle of Perez Dasmariñas in 1897. The church was the only thing that was left standing after the battle, as everything else was burnt to the ground.

Dasmarinas Church interior

The church again witnessed as Filipino forces retook the town a year after. Though Filipinos resettled back after the battle, they were once again up in arms as they face a new enemy -the Americans.

The stained windows of Dasmarinas Church

Although the town was not fully rebuilt, the ensuing battles flattened what remained of the town of Dasmariñas to the ground, sparing the only old church. Years later, in 1917, the town now recovered from the damage done by war, regained its long-sought recognition as a separate municipality from Imus.

Golden images portraying the stations of the cross are decorated inside Dasmarinas Church

Sadly the church would again be part of another cruel episode in the history of the Philippines. During World War II, Dasmarinas Church was used as a garrison by the invading Japanese forces. The old church became the town's torture and execution site. Hundreds of townsmen died on its Holy ground. 

Dasmarinas Church as seen from the side

The historical bell of Dasmarinas Church is displayed outside the church

My family and I visited Dasmarinas Church during our 2012 Cavite - Batangas Visita Iglesia. It was the first church that we visited from our house.

Team Nicerio visits Dasmarinas Church

When I visited Dasmariñas Church during our annual Visita Iglesia, I have in mind the historical background of the church and observed the people passing by me. The happy faces of the locals and pilgrims proved that the tragic past of the town and of the old church was probably forgotten. The place really moved on so they say. As I knelt down on one of the old pews, I whispered a silent prayer that included a wish. That wish, if you might ask, simply is for this country to be spared from any more war and acts of cruelty.

Dasmarinas Church Entrance Fee:

It's FREE to enter Dasmarinas Church and explore its grounds.

Dasmarinas Church Mass Schedule 

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday - 6AM - 7AM
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday - 6AM - 7AM / 6PM - 7PM
Sunday - 6AM - 7AM / 7:30AM - 8:30AM / 9AM - 10AM / 4PM - 5PM / 6PM - 7PM

Why visit Dasmarinas Church?

Dasmarinas Church is one of the historic churches of the province of Cavite. It's one of the churches that you should include if you are doing a Visita Iglesia or pilgrimage in the province. 

Getting to Dasmarinas Church:



From Manila, board a bus that is heading for Tagaytay, Mendez, or Nasugbu. These buses pass by the town of Dasmariñas. You could tell the conductor to drop you in front of the church.

travel time: 2 hours - 3 hours depending on traffic
bus fare: 100-120 pesos

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Comments

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