🕍 Baclayon Church: Visiting One of the Oldest Stone Churches in Bohol (2025 Travel Guide)

📍 Location: Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines
🗺️ Just 6 km east of Tagbilaran City; accessible via tricycle, van, or tour bus.
📅 Last Updated: June 2025

---

🕍 Baclayon Church: A Testament of Faith and History in Bohol

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Bohol was its beautiful old churches. After falling in love with the historical churches of Ilocos, I looked for other provinces rich in Spanish-era architecture—and Bohol did not disappoint. Among its many heritage sites, La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church, more commonly known as Baclayon Church, truly stood out.

---

📖 A Brief History

Baclayon Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, originally founded in 1596 and completed in 1727. Constructed from coral stones and egg whites (yes, egg whites!), it has withstood centuries of natural disasters and war. Like many Philippine churches, it bears scars of World War II and the 2013 Bohol earthquake.

⛪ In 1994, it was declared a National Historical Landmark, and by 2010, a National Cultural Treasure. It has also been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in line with the collective heritage value of Bohol’s colonial churches.

---

📸 Before and After the Earthquake

📅 Photos taken in 2013 — before the earthquake

📅 Photos taken in 2016 — after the earthquake

The church was severely damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013. The façade collapsed, some walls cracked, and many of its precious artifacts were affected. When I returned in 2016, the church and the adjacent museum were under restoration. As of 2025, Baclayon Church has been beautifully restored, and visitors can once again enter its sacred halls.

---

✝️ Architecture and Features

• The church is shaped like a Latin cross and features three retablos (altarpieces)—one grand central and two side altars.
• The adjoining watchtower still houses six of the original nine bells dating back to 1880–1894.
• One bell (1886) can be found in the church museum, while another (1872) was given to the parish of Corella.

---

🙏 The Mysterious Image of Padre Pio

One of Baclayon Church’s lesser-known but talked-about features was an image resembling Padre Pio on one of the buttresses. I remember staring at it in 2013, trying to make out the bearded face everyone else saw. Sadly, after the earthquake, that section was damaged, and the image is no longer visible.

📷 Image of Padre Pio – 2013 (before quake)

📷 Buttress post-quake – 2016 (image gone)

---

🏛️ The Church Museum

Next to the church stands the old convent, now a museum that houses relics, religious artifacts, and centuries-old documents. During my 2013 visit, it was closed. In 2016, it remained off-limits due to repairs. Now in 2025, the museum is fully operational and worth visiting.

🎟️ Entrance Fee: Php 50 (goes to the church’s restoration fund)
🕒 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily (subject to change during church services or holidays)

---

💡 Travel Tips

✅ Best Time to Visit: Dry season (November–May) for clearer skies and more accessible roads
✅ Respect Sacred Grounds: Modest clothing is recommended when entering the church
✅ Combine Your Trip: Include Loboc, Chocolate Hills, and Alona Beach in your itinerary
✅ Local Treat: Try Bohol's famous peanut kisses and calamay at nearby souvenir shops

---

📞 Contact Information

• Address: Baclayon Church, Baclayon, Bohol, Philippines
• Phone: +63(38) 540-9032 (parish office – call to confirm hours)
• Entrance Fee: Php 50 (church and museum) 

---

🙏 Seeing Baclayon Church before and after the earthquake was a deeply emotional experience. I’m glad I got to witness its pre-earthquake glory, but also proud of how Bohol continues to honor its history through careful restoration.

If you love history, architecture, or religious landmarks, this church should definitely be on your Bohol itinerary.