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Filipinos are very much religious when Christianity was introduced to us by the Spaniards. We have historical and magnificent, beautiful churches that depicts the deep faith of the people situated in the entire archipelago. Whenever I visit a place, I make it a habit to go to their church. I am in awe every time, so I’ve come up with this list..

20. San Nicolas de Tolentino Church Built in 1916, this church is located at the provincial capital in Mambajao, Camiguin.

19. Christ the King Cathedral/St Anthony Parish Also known as St Anthony Parish is located at the Poblacion of Koronadal City South Cotabato. Erected in 1960, as the territorial prelature of Marbel, was elevated in 1982 to a full diocese.

18. Sto Nino Roman Catholic Parish Church This beautiful church is located at Poblacion Sta Fe, Bantayan Islands.

17. Bantay church/St Augustine Parish Church – The Saint Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Bantay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. The old historic belfry of the church known as the Bantay Tower, which served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era, gave the town its name – bantay (meaning to guard). Established in 1590, the church is one of the oldest in the Ilocos Region.

16. Davao Cathedral/San Pedro Cathedral Also known as the St Peter Metropolitan Cathedral is located at Poblacion District, Davao City. This magnificent Spanish-style architecture with its distinctive modern design frontal-curved solid structure was first built using nipa and bamboo in 1847 and was subsequently rebuilt in wood in the mid 1900s by the late Architect Ramon Basa until it was finally remodelled in concrete in 1964 by Architect Manuel Chiew.

15. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Parish – This church is located in the municipality of Oton, Iloilo. With its modern design, it offers a glimpse of the townspeople resilient nature when the old Oton church crumbled from the 1948 earthquake.

14. Bacarra Church -Bacarra Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. The church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. Established in 1593, it is known for its centuries-old, domeless, leaning bell tower.

13. Bacolod Cathedral/San Sebastian Cathedral The San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City is a late 19th-century church, with bell towers & an airy interior with chandeliers.

12. Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral – Jaro Cathedral located in Jaro, Iloilo, formally known as Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles declared by the CBCP as the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) on February 2012. The present cathedral structure was finished in 1874 by the first Bishop of Jaro, Mariano Cuartero, O.P. It was destroyed by the January 1948 earthquake and later repaired in 1956 by the first Archbishop of Jaro, José María Cuenco.

11. Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church Also known as Nuestra Senora del Pillar is located in Cauayan City Isabela. Built in 1741, with its imposing baroque architecture, brick wall facade and amazing interior.

10. Guimbal Church/San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Guimbal Church also known as the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish is located in Guimbal Iloilo. Built in 1774, it is one of the oldest churches in the country. This yellow sandstone church is made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones.

9. Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, officially known as The Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of Saint Vitalis and of the Immaculate Conception was established as a diocese on August 14, 1595. The architecture of the church is typical of Spanish colonial churches in the country, namely, squat and with thick walls to withstand typhoons and other natural calamities.

8. San Joaquin Parish Church San Joaquin Church, is a Roman Catholic Church in the municipality of San Joaquin, Iloilo. It is largely known for its pediment featuring a military scene, the Spanish victory over the Moors in the Battle of Tétouan. The construction of San Joaquin Church was completed in 1869 during the Spanish colonization era by Augustinians. The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

7. Ivana church/San Jose de Ivana Church The San Jose de Ivana Church, also known as Ivana Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Ivana, Batanes. It was first established by the Dominicans as a chapel in 1787. The church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2008.

6. St Peter & Paul Parish Church The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is located in Bantayan Island, and part of the Diocese of Cebu. Built using the stones and corals, its site was founded in 1580 making it the oldest church in the Visayas and Mindanao.

5. Molo Church/St Anne Parish Church – Neo-Gothic colonial church, built in 1831, with a white-coral facade & statues of female saints.

4. Tuguegarao Cathedral/St Peter Metropolitan Cathedral – is an 18th-century Baroque church located along Rizal Street, Barangay Centro 10, Tuguegarao, Cagayan. The current church is attributed to Father Antonio Lobato, OP who initiated the construction in 1761 and was completed in 1768 and restored in 2014.

4. Mahatao Church/San Carlos Borromeo Church – a Roman Catholic church located in Mahatao, Batan Island, Batanes. The church is made of stone and lime, common building materials in the province.

3. Basilica Minore del Sto Nino de Cebu/Sto Nino Basilica The Basílica Menor del Santo Niño de Cebú (Minor Basilica of the Holy Child of Cebú), commonly known as Santo Niño Basilica, is a minor basilica in Cebu City that was founded in the 1565 by Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, O.S.A. and Fray Diego de Herrera, O.S.A. The oldest Roman Catholic church in the country, it is built on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño de Cebú was found during the expedition of Miguel López de Legazpi.

2. Miagao Church/Sto Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church – UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Miagao Iloilo. Its Baroque style designed with thick walls to serve as protection against raiders. It was severely damaged during the Spanish revolution in 1898 but was later rebuilt, fire in 1910, the second World War and earthquake in 1948. The present day Miagao church is the third church built since its establishment in 1731.

Paoay church/St Augustine Church – A UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the oldest churches completed in 1710 located in the municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte. An architectural wonder, also known as the Earthquake Baroque church, famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and the back of the building.

Top 20 beautiful churches I’ve been to.. Filipinos are very much religious when Christianity was introduced to us by the Spaniards. We have historical and magnificent, beautiful churches that depicts the deep faith of the people situated in the entire archipelago.