Panay Church

The Santa Monica Parish Church (Hiligaynon: Simbahan sang Parokya sang Santa Monica; Filipino: Simbahang Parokya ni Santa Mónica; Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Mónica), also called Panay Church, is a historic church in Panay, near Roxas City in the province of Capiz, on Panay island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It was built in 1884 on the site of an earlier church, built in 1774 by Miguel Murguia, which was gravely damaged by the typhoon of 17 January 1875.[1]: 423  The church is built of coral blocks and is approximately 70 metres long, 25 m in width and 18 m in height; the walls are about 3 metres thick.[1]: 423 [2]

Panay Church
Santa Monica Parish Church
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Mónica
Simbahan sang Parokya sang Santa Mónica
Simbahang Parokya ni Santa Mónica
11.555622°N 122.793905°E / 11.555622; 122.793905
LocationIloilo East Coast-Capiz Rd., Panay, Capiz
CountryPhilippines
Language(s)Hiligaynon, English
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Founded1698
Founder(s)Augustinian Friars
DedicationSaint Monica
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designation
Designated
  • 1997 National Historical Landmark
  • 2004 National Cultural Treasure
Architectural typeFilipino Colonial Neo-Classical Baroque
Specifications
Length70 meters
Width25 meters
Height18 meters
Bells9 bells
Tenor bell weight10.4 metric ton (largest bell)
Administration
ProvinceCapiz
MetropolisCapiz
ArchdioceseCapiz
DeanerySanta Monica
ParishSanta Monica

The church has an unusually large bell, the largest in the country and in all of Asia.[3] This was cast by Juan Reina in about 1884, using sacks of coin given by the people of the town; it weighs more than 10 tonnes.[1]: 423 

In 1997 the church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.[4]

  • NHI Historical marker installed in 1997
    NHI Historical marker installed in 1997
  • Façade
    Façade
  • Main altar
    Main altar
  • Statue of Santo Tomas de Villanueva
    Statue of Santo Tomas de Villanueva
  • The large bell
    The large bell
  • Inscription on the largest bell
    Inscription on the largest bell
  • One of the smaller bells
    One of the smaller bells
  • West side of the church
    West side of the church
  • Coral stone masonry
    Coral stone masonry
  • Coral stone masonry
    Coral stone masonry
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at the foot of the bell tower
    Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at the foot of the bell tower
  • Stairway to the choir loft
    Stairway to the choir loft
  • Former roof truss of the church
    Former roof truss of the church
  • Artefacts
    Artefacts
  • Bas-relief by Joseph Bergaño, 1770s
    Bas-relief by Joseph Bergaño, 1770s

See also

References
  1. Pedro G. Galende (1987), Angels in stone: architecture of Augustinian churches in the Philippines. Metro Manila, Philippines: G.A. Formoso Publishing. ISBN 9789718575000.
  2. Tom Le Bas (editor) (2013). [ Insight Guides: Philippines]. Singapore: APA. ISBN 9781780051222.
  3. Standard, Manila (June 22, 2019). "Capiz hosts Asia's biggest church bell". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  4. [s.n.] (1997). Cast iron plaque on Panay Church. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Photograph accessed April 2016.
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