Panay Church Explained

Panay Church
Fullname:Santa Monica Parish Church
Pushpin Map:Visayas#Philippines
Map Caption:Location in the Visayas##Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:11.5556°N 122.7939°W
Location:Iloilo East Coast-Capiz Rd., Panay, Capiz
Country:Philippines
Language(S):Hiligaynon, English
Founded Date:1698
Founder:Augustinian Friars
Dedication:Saint Monica
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:
Designated Date:
  • 1997
  • 2004
Architectural Type:Church building
Style:Filipino Colonial Neo-Classical Baroque
Length:70 meters
Width:25 meters
Height:18 meters
Bells:9 bells
Bell Weight:10.4 metric ton (largest bell)
Parish:Santa Monica
Deanery:Santa Monica
Metropolis:Capiz
Province:Capiz

Santa Monica Parish Church, commonly known as Panay Church, is a historic Roman Catholic church in Panay, Capiz on Panay island of the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Capiz. 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 January 17, 1875. 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.

The church has an unusually large bell, the largest in the country. Capiz hosts Asia's biggest “church” bell.[1] 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.

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

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Panay Church in Capiz: A Historical and Spiritual Marvel . suroy.ph. July 2024 .