Loboc Church
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San Pedro Apostol Parish Church, commonly known as Loboc Church and alternatively as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Extremadura, is a
Roman Catholic church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
in the municipality of
Loboc, Bohol Loboc, officially the Municipality of Loboc (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,418 people. Located east of Tagbilaran, Loboc is widely known for its lunch c ...
,
Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
, within the jurisdiction of the
Diocese of Tagbilaran The Diocese of Tagbilaran is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, headquartered in Tagbilaran, Bohol. It is one of two dioceses in the province of Bohol, the other being the Diocese of Tal ...
. After the
Jesuits The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...
established the Christian community in
Baclayon Baclayon, officially the Municipality of Baclayon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,461 people. It is the home town of actor Cesar Montano, and physicist Cae ...
, they moved to Loboc and established a second Christian settlement in Bohol. The parish was established in 1602, and the present coral stone church was completed in 1734. Because of its strategic location, it became the center of the Jesuit mission in the Bohol area. In 1768, upon the expulsion of the Jesuits, the town was transferred to the
Augustinian Recollects The Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) is a mendicant Catholic religious order of friars and nuns. It is a reformist offshoot from the Augustinian hermit friars and follows the same Rule of St. Augustine. They have also been known as the "D ...
. The church is classified as a National Historical Landmark by the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP; ) is a government agency of the Philippines. Its mission is "the promotion of Philippine history and cultural heritage through research, dissemination, conservation, sites management ...
and a National Cultural Treasure by the
National Museum of the Philippines The National Museum of the Philippines () is an umbrella government organization that oversees a number of national museums in the Philippines, including Ethnography, ethnographic, Anthropology, anthropological, Archaeology, archaeological, an ...
. It was severely damaged when a 7.2 magnitude
earthquake An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...
struck Bohol and other parts of
Central Visayas Central Visayas (; or ) is an Regions of the Philippines, administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VII. With only two Provinces of the Philippines, provinces: Cebu and Bohol, as well as three Cities of the Phi ...
on October 15, 2013. Restoration works began in 2017 and the church was reopened on May 16, 2021.


History

After the establishment of the Jesuit mission in Bohol, Father Juan de Torres, , moved to the community along the Loboc River in late 1596 to establish a second mission station. The first church, made of wood, was built by the people of the area on a site called Calvario, Sawang, near the location of the present-day church. It was dedicated under the patronage of Saint
Michael the Archangel Michael, also called Saint Michael the Archangel, Archangel Michael and Saint Michael the Taxiarch is an archangel and the warrior of God in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in third- and second- ...
. Loboc officially became a
parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...
in 1602. Due to pirate attacks on
Baclayon Baclayon, officially the Municipality of Baclayon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,461 people. It is the home town of actor Cesar Montano, and physicist Cae ...
and the strategic position of Loboc, the Jesuits chose Loboc to become the center of their mission. The Jesuit superior of Bohol later resided in Loboc until the Jesuits' expulsion in 1768. A boarding school for boys, the ''Seminario de los Indios'', was established at Loboc in 1605. Fire destroyed the original wooden church in 1638; it was later reconstructed by the Jesuit priest Jose Sanchez. A larger church was built in 1670, on the site of the present day convent. The coral stone church was finished in 1734. After the Jesuits were expelled from the country in May 1768, the
Augustinian Recollects The Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) is a mendicant Catholic religious order of friars and nuns. It is a reformist offshoot from the Augustinian hermit friars and follows the same Rule of St. Augustine. They have also been known as the "D ...
assumed the administration of the parish and the church that November.


Historical and cultural designations

On December 12, 1998, Loboc Church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute, now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. It was also listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on July 31, 2001. The church complex was a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Philippines, under two distinct categories. The Jesuit Churches of the Philippines nomination includes the churches of
Maragondon Maragondon, officially the Municipality of Maragondon (), is a municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,687 people. The town is famous for its bamboo crafts, Mounts Palay-Palay ...
in
Cavite Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite (; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region. On the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest of Manila, i ...
,
Baclayon Baclayon, officially the Municipality of Baclayon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,461 people. It is the home town of actor Cesar Montano, and physicist Cae ...
in
Bohol Bohol (), officially the Province of Bohol (; ), is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Regions of the Philippines, region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. It is home to Bohola ...
and
Guiuan Guiuan ( ˆgiËŒwan; , ), officially the Municipality of Guiuan, is a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. It constitutes the southeastern extremity of Samar Island and some adjacent islands, surrounded by Leyte Gulf and ...
in
Eastern Samar Eastern Samar ( Waray-Waray: ''Sinirangan Samar''; ), officially the Province of Eastern Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Borongan, which is the most populous. Eastern Samar ...
. The
Baroque Churches of the Philippines The Baroque Churches of the Philippines are a collection of four Spanish Colonial architecture, Spanish Colonial-era baroque churches in the Philippines, which were included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site, World Heritage List in 1993. The chu ...
(Extension) nomination, nominates Loboc Church along with the churches of Patrocinio de Maria in
Boljoon, Cebu Boljoon, officially the Municipality of Boljoon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,525 people. Geography Boljo-on, as locally called, has a total land area of ...
, La Inmaculada Concepcion in
Guiuan, Eastern Samar Guiuan (Help:IPA/Tagalog, ˆgiËŒwan; , ), officially the Municipality of Guiuan, is a municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. It constitutes the southeastern extremity ...
, San Matias in
Tumauini, Isabela Tumauini , officially the Municipality of Tumauini (; ; ), is a municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 70,743 people. Etymology The name of Tumauini originated from the name o ...
, and San Isidro Labrador in
Lazi, Siquijor Lazi, officially the Municipality of Lazi (; ), is a municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,488. Lazi Church is currently in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage ...
. However, due to its total destruction in 2013, it was removed from the roster of nominated sites.


2013 earthquake, restoration, and contemporary history

On October 15, 2013, a strong earthquake heavily damaged the church and several other churches designated as National Cultural Treasures. The church suffered major damage to its structure, particularly its façade and tower, which both partially collapsed. While waiting for the complete restoration and rehabilitation of the old church, an alternate church was opened on October 12, 2014. Restoration works began in 2017. After more than seven years since the earthquake, the
National Museum of the Philippines The National Museum of the Philippines () is an umbrella government organization that oversees a number of national museums in the Philippines, including Ethnography, ethnographic, Anthropology, anthropological, Archaeology, archaeological, an ...
turned over the restored church on May 16, 2021, Ascension Sunday, the same day the church was reopened. On May 24, 2021, the church was declared as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Extremadura, the same day that it was also affiliated with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in
Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
.
Plenary indulgence In the teaching of the Catholic Church, an indulgence (, from , 'permit') is "a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for (forgiven) sins". The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' describes an indulgence as "a remission bef ...
s were also granted for pilgrims visiting the church.


Architecture

The church is built along the banks of the Loboc River. The coral stone church follows a
cruciform A cruciform is a physical manifestation resembling a common cross or Christian cross. These include architectural shapes, biology, art, and design. Cruciform architectural plan Christian churches are commonly described as having a cruciform ...
plan, with a sunken pyramidal roof on its crossing. As a church built by the Jesuits, exterior walls of the church have the Jesuit insignia and icons of an angel's wing and head. Major renovations were undertaken by Augustinian priest Father Aquilino Bon, including the addition of a
portico A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cu ...
to the façade (1863–1866) and re-roofing with tiles (1873). Father José Sánchez, , added stone buttresses to the walls (1891–1893) and side porticoes (1895–1896). Because of frequent flooding, its wooden flooring was changed to cement tiles in 1895 and was elevated in 1969.


Interior

The interior of the church is adorned with ceiling paintings by Canuto Avila and his sons, Ricardo and Ray Francia, created from May 1926 to July 1927, and retouched by Cris Naparota in 1995. A mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe, secondary patron of Loboc, painted by Max Aya-ay in 1930 at the center of the
nave The nave () is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel. When a church contains side aisles, as in a basilica-type ...
depicts the Virgin saving Loboc from floods. The church also has a separate
cantilever A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is unsupported at one end. Typically it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached. Like other structural elements, a cantilev ...
ed organ loft, hosting a large pipe organ believed to be connected with Father Diego Cera, maker of the
Las Piñas Bamboo organ The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ in St. Joseph Parish Church, Las Piñas, St. Joseph Parish Church in Las Piñas, Philippines, is a 19th-century Organ (music)#Chamber organ, church organ. It is known for its unique pipe organ, organ pipes; of its 1031 ...
.


Façade

The inner baroque façade, which is part of the 1734 church built by the Jesuits, is decorated with
pilasters In architecture, a pilaster is both a load-bearing section of thickened wall or column integrated into a wall, and a purely decorative element in classical architecture which gives the appearance of a supporting column and articulates an ext ...
,
capital Capital and its variations may refer to: Common uses * Capital city, a municipality of primary status ** Capital region, a metropolitan region containing the capital ** List of national capitals * Capital letter, an upper-case letter Econom ...
s,
blind niche In architecture, a niche (CanE, or ) is a recess or cavity constructed in the thickness of a wall for the reception of decorative objects such as statues, busts, urns, and vases. In Classical architecture examples are an exedra or an apse that ...
s and
volute A volute is a spiral, scroll-like ornament that forms the basis of the Ionic order, found in the capital of the Ionic column. It was later incorporated into Corinthian order and Composite column capitals. Four are normally to be found on an ...
s.Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage. (2014). ''Survey Report on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Republic of the Philippines.'' Tokyo, Japan. It is patterned after the San Ignacio Church in Intramuros, with two levels, a triangular pediment, and two narrow octagonal bell towers on each side. The neoclassical portico houses niches for
Saint Peter Saint Peter (born Shimon Bar Yonah; 1 BC – AD 64/68), also known as Peter the Apostle, Simon Peter, Simeon, Simon, or Cephas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the first leaders of the Jewish Christian#Jerusalem ekklēsia, e ...
and
Saint Paul Paul, also named Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul, was a Christian apostle ( AD) who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world. For his contributions towards the New Testament, he is generally ...
. Along the pediment is a wooden
bas-relief Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb , to raise (). To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...
on
galvanized iron Galvanization ( also spelled galvanisation) is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, to prevent rusting. The most common method is hot-dip galvanizing, in which the parts are coated by submerging them in a bath of ...
of the
papal tiara The papal tiara is a crown that was worn by popes of the Catholic Church from as early as the 8th century to the mid–20th century. It was last used by Pope Paul VI in 1963, and only at the beginning of his reign. The name ''tiara'' refers t ...
over crossed keys (the symbol of Saint Peter) on the center and medallions carrying the icons of the Augustinians and Saint Peter on both ends.


Altars

The church has five ''retablos'' (''
reredos A reredos ( , , ) is a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a Church (building), church. It often includes religious images. The term ''reredos'' may also be used for similar structures, if elaborate, in secular a ...
''). The central ''retablo'' (or ) at the altar houses images of Saint Peter, the patron, paired with Saint Paul on the uppermost niche. On the lowest level are images of
Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe (), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe (), is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with four Marian apparitions to Juan Diego and one to his uncle, Juan Bernardino reported in December 1531, when t ...
, a secondary patron, in the center. Also on the lowest level were statues of
Saint Lucy Lucia of Syracuse ( – 304 AD), also called Saint Lucia () and better known as Saint Lucy, was a Roman people, Roman Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint in Catholic Church, Catholic, Angl ...
, patron against typhoons and
Saint Francis Xavier Francis Xavier, SJ (born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta; ; ; ; ; ; 7 April 15063 December 1552), venerated as Saint Francis Xavier, was a Navarrese cleric and missionary. He co-founded the Society of Jesus and, as a representative o ...
, patron against floods and alligators. Both Saint Lucy and Saint Francis were elected patrons in 1697. Behind the walls of the are the remains of the former Jesuit altarpiece, a bas-relief of
Saint Ignatius Loyola Ignatius of Loyola ( ; ; ; ; born Ãñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola; – 31 July 1556), venerated as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Basque Spaniard Catholic priest and theologian, who, with six companions, founded the religious order of the So ...
and St Francis Xavier dressed as a pilgrim. Hidden by the main altar, is a bas relief of San Ignacio and San Francisco Xavier done in stucco (reminders that this was once a Jesuit church).


= Epistle ''retablo''

= On the right side of the altar are two ''retablos''. The larger altar on the right side currently houses the image of St. Francis Xavier as preacher on the topmost level. On the middle level of the same retablo are images of
Saint Vincent Ferrer Vincent Ferrer, OP ( ; ; ; ; ; ; 23 January 1350 – 5 April 1419) was a Valencian Dominican friar who gained acclaim as a preacher, missionary and logician. After supporting Antipope Benedict XIII during the Western Schism, Ferrer traveled to ...
in the center, and
Saint Augustine Augustine of Hippo ( , ; ; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a theologian and philosopher of Berbers, Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia (Roman province), Numidia, Roman North Africa. His writings deeply influenced th ...
and
Saint Monica Monica ( – 387) was an early North African Christian saint and the mother of Augustine of Hippo. She is remembered and honored in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, albeit on different feast days, for her outstanding Christian virtues, partic ...
on the left and right niches, respectively. The lowest level contains images of the ''Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion'' in the center,
Saint Anne According to apocrypha, as well as Christianity, Christian and Islamic tradition, Saint Anne was the mother of Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary, the wife of Joachim and the maternal grandmother of Jesus. Mary's mother is not named in the Bible's Gosp ...
to the right and
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux In Christian belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and denomination. In Anglican, Oriental Orth ...
(originally
St Joachim Joachim was, according to Sacred tradition, the husband of Saint Anne, the father of Mary (mother of Jesus), and the maternal grandfather of Jesus. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the Gospel of James, part of the New Testament apoc ...
) on the left. The smaller altar has two levels of baroque and neoclassical style, respectively, with images of the crucified Christ on the lower level and the Holy Infant on the upper. The tomb of Father Aquilino Bon and other Recollect priests who served Loboc are also on this side of the church. The remains of Jesuit priest Alonso de Humanes were formerly interred in this area before the transfer of his remains to San Ignacio in
Intramuros Intramuros () is the historic walled area within the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It is administered by the Intramuros Administration with the help of the city government of Manila. Intramuros comprises a centuries-old hist ...
. An apocryphal account tells of a fire in a former Loboc church stopping at the foot of Humanes' tomb; this story spread across the people of the Loboc and nearby towns, which drew pilgrims to light candles in memory of Humanes.


= Gospel ''retablo''

= On the left side of the altar are also two ''retablos''. The larger altar, which is a twin of the altar opposite it, houses an image of an unidentified saint on the topmost level, presumably Michael the Archangel, and the crucified Christ (originally
Madonna and Child In Christian art, a Madonna () is a religious depiction of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a singular form or sometimes accompanied by the Child Jesus. These images are central icons for both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The word ...
) in the center,
Saint Anthony of Padua Anthony of Padua, OFM, (; ; ) or Anthony of Lisbon (; ; ; born Fernando Martins de Bulhões; 15 August 1195 – 13 June 1231) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and member of the Order of Friars Minor. Anthony was born and raised by a wealth ...
on the middle-left, and
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Nicholas of Tolentino, OSA (, c. 1246September 10, 1305) known as the "Patron of Holy Souls", was an Italian Catholic mystic who is invoked as an advocate for the souls in Purgatory, especially during Lent and the month of November. He was a m ...
on the middle-right niches. The original images on the lowest level have been replaced. The smaller retablo, also of the same style, houses the images of
Saint Joseph According to the canonical Gospels, Joseph (; ) was a 1st-century Jewish man of Nazareth who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and was the legal father of Jesus. Joseph is venerated as Saint Joseph in the Catholic Church, Eastern O ...
with the
child Jesus The Christ Child—also known as Baby Jesus, Infant Jesus, Child Jesus, Divine Child, Divine Infant and the Holy Child—refers to Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ during his early years. The term refers to a period of life of Jesus, Jesus' l ...
, and St Isidore the Laborer on the lower and upper level, respectively. In the
sacristy A sacristy, also known as a vestry or preparation room, is a room in Christianity, Christian churches for the keeping of vestments (such as the alb and chasuble) and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records. The sacristy is us ...
is another ''retablo'', with a crucifix in its central niche. On the doorframes of the sacristy are two bas-reliefs depicting Saint Ignatius and the first Jesuits before Mary and the child Jesus and of St. Ignatius holding a book (in
stucco Stucco or render is a construction material made of aggregates, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as a decorative coating for walls and ceilings, exterior walls, and as a sculptural and ...
).


Outbuildings


Sacristy and Convent

The
convent A convent is an enclosed community of monks, nuns, friars or religious sisters. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community. The term is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican ...
, which was built around 1854, was used as the central residence of Jesuit missionaries in Bohol. It is built with a rare type of
bahay na bato ''Báhay na bató'' ( Filipino for "stone house"), also known in Visayan as ''baláy na bató'' or ''balay nga bato'', and in Spanish language as ''Casa de Filipina'' is a type of building originating during the Spanish colonial period of ...
architecture. It was built parallel to the
transept A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse part of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In cruciform ("cross-shaped") cruciform plan, churches, in particular within the Romanesque architecture, Romanesque a ...
and was an unusual three-storey structure, with a two-storey outdoor gallery (called a ''volada'') and thick walls. It is the only convent in the Philippines with three storeys. An extension perpendicular to the convent was built in the middle of the 19th century. The convent was also adorned with paintings on its walls and ceilings, and with colored glass on its windows and
cornices In architecture, a cornice (from the Italian ''cornice'' meaning "ledge") is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, around the top edge of a ...
on the kitchen. The roof was replaced with galvanized iron in 1888. The third floor of the convent is now used as an ecclesiastical museum (known as Loboc Museum), containing several religious artifacts, such as a 1786 silver
missal A missal is a liturgical book containing instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the liturgical year. Versions differ across liturgical tradition, period, and purpose, with some missals intended to enable a priest ...
and 18th century wooden Santo Niño.


Belltower

A detached four-storey
bell tower A bell tower is a tower that contains one or more bells, or that is designed to hold bells even if it has none. Such a tower commonly serves as part of a Christian church, and will contain church bells, but there are also many secular bell to ...
was built near the riverbanks by the first Augustinian Recollect priest of Loboc. It has seven bells, with the 1863 bell being the oldest and the 1937 bell, named for Father Cayetano Bastes, being the largest. It also has a large wooden
ratchet Ratchet may refer to: Devices * Ratchet (device), a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction * Ratchet effect in sociology and economics * Ratchet, metonymic name for a socket wrench incorporating a ratcheting device * Ratc ...
, installed in 1899, used during Holy Week, and a clock made by the Altonaga Company, installed in 1893.


Mortuary chapel

A hexagonal
mortuary A morgue or mortuary (in a hospital or elsewhere) is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification (ID), removal for autopsy, respectful burial, cremation or other methods of disposal. In modern times, corpses have cus ...
is located on the left side of the façade. It was built by Father Bon between 1867 and 1868. Inside is a baroque ''retablo'', similar to the altars inside the church. It is now used as an adoration chapel.


See also

* Loboc Children's Choir


Notes and references


Notes


References


Bibliography

* * *


External links

* * {{Roman Catholic churches in Bohol Baroque church buildings in the Philippines National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines National Historical Landmarks of the Philippines Roman Catholic churches in Bohol World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines Churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran Jubilee churches in the Philippines