📍 Tagbilaran City, Bohol | Photos from 2013 (Before the Earthquake)
🕍 A Church in the Heart of the City
We had no plans of visiting this place. But while waiting for the guards to open the Bohol Museum, we wandered around the area and stumbled upon this charming church.
Located at the heart of Tagbilaran City, St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral is one of the first six parishes founded by Jesuit missionaries who arrived in Bohol in 1595.
The church we see today was largely renovated over the centuries. The original structure was built through forced labor by native Boholanos under Jesuit direction—a sobering reminder of the colonial past. The bell tower, however, remains in its original form and still stands beside the church.
🕊 A Park of Peace and Doves
Right beside the church is a small city park flocked with doves. You’ll see people, young and old, feeding the birds and simply enjoying the open space. Street vendors sell peanuts and bread for those who wish to interact with the birds.
🌿 It’s a refreshing urban oasis, and despite being right in the city center, it still offers pockets of quiet and calm.
We also noticed a miniature Chocolate Hills installation inside the park—though it looked like a work in progress back in 2013. Still, the area was lively with families, couples, and students hanging out under the trees.
🏛 Nearby Landmarks
Facing the church is the Bohol Provincial Capitol, and just a short walk away is the Bohol Museum, formerly the home of President Carlos P. Garcia. This part of the city is perfect for leisure walks and historical sightseeing, even if it’s unplanned—just like ours.
💬 "Sometimes it’s fun to follow your feet and let the place guide you. If you don’t, you’ll never know what you might miss."
📸 2013 Memories – Before the Earthquake
The photos I took back in 2013 show a peaceful cathedral surrounded by daily city life. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to revisit the cathedral in 2017 due to time restrictions, and I’m not sure how much it was affected by the 2013 earthquake. But from the looks of updates, it has remained structurally sound and has been preserved well into 2025.
🧭 Travel Tips for Tagbilaran Cathedral
🔹 Location: Beside
Plaza Rizal Park, near Bohol Museum
🔹
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon when doves are
active
🔹
Free Admission: No entrance fee, just walk around and enjoy
🔹
Family Friendly: Ideal for quiet walks, feeding birds, and
people-watching
🔹
Pair With: Museum tour + park picnic or casual sightseeing
🛐 Fast Facts
- 🏛 Name: St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral
- 📍 Location: Carlos P. Garcia Ave., Tagbilaran City, Bohol
- 🕰 Founded: 1595 by Jesuits
- 🛠 Renovations: Multiple; bell tower remains original
- 🚶 Nearby: Bohol Museum, Provincial Capitol, Plaza Rizal Park
- 📸 Photo Date: Taken in 2013 before the earthquake
💭 If you ever find yourself in Tagbilaran with no set plans, let your feet lead the way. You might end up in places like this church—a piece of history quietly standing amid the buzz of city life.
It’s not the grandest church in Bohol, but it’s rich with stories and atmosphere. Whether you visit to reflect, take photos, or just sit and watch the doves, the Tagbilaran Cathedral offers a gentle pause in your Bohol adventure.
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