Located at Plaza Mabini Street, Balayan in the province of Batangas, Balayan Church is one of the Spanish colonial era churches in the province. It is also listed as a National Cultural Treasure.
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| Balayan Church |
Balayan Church History
Also known as Immaculate Conception Parish Church, Balayan Church was constructed sometime in 1591 under the directives of the Jesuit Order right after the Franciscans turned over the supervision of the town to them.
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| Balayan Church interior |
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| The pulpit of Balayan Church |
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| The altar area |
Despite the improved architectural design, the church still sustained major damages during the earthquake of 1870. The second and third levels of the bell tower and the upper levels of the convent had to be demolished due to the damages it sustained from the said earthquake. The devotees had to attend mass in a temporary chapel nearby while the church underwent repairs.
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| The main retablo or retablo mayor of Balayan Church |
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| The side retablo on the right |
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| The side retablo on the left |
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| The beautifully painted church dome ceiling |
After the reconstruction, the archbishop authorized the purchase of a retablo mayor, acheros, and pulpit in 1875. A few years later, an extension was also added behind the church which served as an antesacristy. The second and third stories of the belfry were then reconstructed in 1892 using bricks instead of stones which made the belfry's color different from the grayish facade.
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| The statue of Christ found outside the church |
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| Some of the old bells of Balayan Church... |
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| ...are now displayed on the left side of the church |
I got to visit Balayan Church for the first time during our 2019 Visita Iglesia. It was the first church on our list of churches to visit. What I like about this church is its beautiful exterior and interior. Its fortress-like appearance evidently shows its baroque architectural design. What's more pleasing to the eye is the contrasting color of its orange brick belfry and its gray stone facade not to forget the reddish Immaculate Conception College beside the church. Regarding its interior, there's this feeling of being transported back in time when entering the church/ The retablo looks grand but what caught my eye was the ceiling painting above the altar depicting different scenes in the bible.
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We visited Balayan Church during our 2019 Visita Iglesia |
Overall, Balayan Church is a must-include for those planning to do a Visita Iglesia in Batangas.
Balayan Church Entrance Fee
It's FREE to enter Balayan Church and explore its grounds.
Balayan Church Mass Schedule
Monday: 5:30 AM / 6:30 AM.
Tuesday-Friday: 5:30 AM / 6:30 AM / 5:15 PM.
Saturday: 5:30 AM / 6:30 AM / 5:00 PM.
Sunday: 5:30 AM / 7:00 AM / 8:30 AM / 5:00 PM / 6:15 PM.
Why visit Balayan Church?
If you're on a pilgrimage to the province of Batangas, then you should include Balayan Church. Aside from the fact that the church is a historic building, you'd also appreciate its beautiful interior. The combination of the history and beauty of this church would surely add to a memorable pilgrimage.
Getting to Balayan Church:
From some bus terminals in Pasay City or Sta. Cruz in Manila, ride a bus or van to Balayan. There are also vans that ply the Manila-Balayan route.
Other options are to ride a bus to Lemery then ride a jeepney to Balayan. You can also ride a bus bound to Nasugbu then board down at Palico and transfer to a jeepney to Balayan.
Ratings:
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| Pilgrims |
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| Cleanliness |
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| Overall rating |
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