Pagsanjan Church - Laguna

Located in the Poblacion of Pagsanjan in the province of Laguna, Pagsanjan Church is one of the many well-preserved Spanish-era churches of the province.

Pagsanjan Church

Pagsanjan Church History

Also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church, Pagsanjan Church is the home to the image of the patroness of Pagsanjan -the Our Lady of Guadalupe. This image was a gift from rich pious Mexican families after the establishment of the church. The church is also known as the oldest church in the Philippines under the said patronship.

Pagsanjan Church - Pagsanjan, Laguna

Pagsanjan Church NHI Marker

Inside Pagsanjan Church

Pagsanjan Church was founded on November 12, 1687. Like most Spanish-era churches in Laguna, it was also first built using only light materials like bamboo, nipa, and wood. Sadly, the church was built by natives of Pagsanjan under forced labor. A few years later, 1690 to be exact, a larger church made from adobe was built to replace the old church.

Pagsanjan Church main altar

Pagsanjan Church underwent a long renovation which started in 1847 and ended in 1852. It was during this renovation that the stone belfry and Romanesque dome were built. In 1872, a transept was added to the church.

The right altar of Pagsanjan Church

The left altar of Pagsanjan Church 

Pagsanjan Church was heavily damaged when the Americans bombed the town on March 15, 1945, during the Second World War. A replica of the church was constructed over its ruins. It underwent a more serious restoration after the war in 1965. Like the church, the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was also a casualty of the bombing. The image that can be seen today was contributed (again) by Mexicans in 1958.

The wall of the small chapel is "well-decorated"

The side chapel of Pagsanjan Church

The church was the fourth church that we visited during our Laguna-Quezon Visita Iglesia. It was here that we finished our Stations of the Cross. What I like about the church is its side chapel that seems (and looks) older than the rest of the church. 

Statue of the Virgin Mary inside Pagsanjan Church

The convent at the back of Pagsanjan Church

Pagsanjan Church Entrance Fee

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

Pagsanjan Church Mass Schedule

Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Friday: 6-7AM, 5:30 - 6:30PM
Thursday: 7:30-8:30AM, 11-12NN, 5:30-6:30PM
Saturday: 6-7AM, 5-6PM
Sunday: 6-7AM, 8-9AM, 5-6PM

Why visit Pagsanjan Church?

Overall, Pagsanjan Church is a must-visit for pilgrims and tourists alike. It's perfect for pilgrimages and Visita Iglesias. If you spend some time in town, I suggest that you also visit the famous Cavinti Falls aka Pagsanjan Falls as well.

Getting to Pagsanjan Church:


From Taft Avenue, ride a Green Star Bus bound to Sta. Cruz Laguna. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Pagsanjan/Jam terminal. From there you could ride a jeep or trike to the church.

Bus fare: 300 -350 pesos
Travel time: 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours

The Pagsanjan Arch

Ratings:

Pilgrims
Cleanliness
Overall rating

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