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Best Catholic churchs in Philippines

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The Sunken Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Bacolor, Pampanga stands as a striking symbol of resilience amidst tragedy, blending history, spirituality, and the forces of nature in a compelling narrative. Originally constructed in the 18th century, this majestic church bore witness to centuries of devotion and community gatherings until the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 altered its fate forever.

What remains of the Sunken Shrine today is a haunting yet captivating sight—a solemn reminder of the destructive power of volcanic activity. The church's once grand architecture now lies partially submerged beneath layers of lahar, with only its upper facade defiantly rising above the hardened mudflow. This surreal juxtaposition of beauty and devastation serves as a poignant testament to the resilience of faith and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people.

Visitors to the Sunken Shrine are greeted by a scene of tranquility and reverence. As they approach the church, they are met with the solemn echoes of history, each step echoing the struggles and triumphs of generations past. The atmosphere is heavy with the weight of loss and remembrance, yet infused with a palpable sense of hope and renewal—a testament to the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity.

Despite its submerged state, the Sunken Shrine remains a place of pilgrimage and prayer, drawing devotees and tourists alike from far and wide. For many, the journey to Bacolor is not merely a physical one but a spiritual odyssey—an opportunity to seek solace, find inspiration, and connect with something greater than themselves.

Inside the shrine, flickering candles cast a warm glow upon weathered statues and faded frescoes, their gentle light illuminating the hearts and minds of those who gather in prayer. Here, amidst the ruins of a once-thriving community, visitors find solace in the embrace of Our Lady of Lourdes, whose benevolent presence serves as a beacon of hope in troubled times.

Outside, the surrounding landscape bears witness to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people as they work tirelessly to rebuild and reclaim what was lost. Through acts of resilience and solidarity, the community of Bacolor has transformed tragedy into triumph, turning the Sunken Shrine into a symbol of renewal and resilience—a testament to the enduring power of faith and the human spirit.

A visit to the Sunken Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is not merely a journey through time and space but a pilgrimage of the soul—an opportunity to bear witness to the transformative power of faith, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people. It is a place where history and spirituality converge, where tragedy and triumph intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on all who have the privilege to experience its solemn beauty.
THIS THE BEST!!!
Place where I can rest & think of God's blessings & kindness.
'Twas very calming and lovely, espacially when visiting with friends or family.
Must visit this historical Parish Church in Pampanga.

You would know the history of it before and after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
Beautiful Cathedral and worth a visit. Not sure if the pipe organ are actually functional. And take time adjustments for parking if you’re visiting on a Sunday.
If you like old churches, this is a must-visit, as the church was built around the 15th century. The outer facade has aged well and remains intact. Although we didn't get to enter inside as it closes at 4 pm, we saw the interior from the entrance, and the ceiling with wooden supports amazed us. The tiles used for the floor are also a nice detail.
known as one of the oldest church in the philippines. we visit here today and its great that we been able to visit here to see how pretty it is especially for religious people one of the most visited church..
The San Guillermo Church is one of the oldest churches in Pampanga. It was named after Bacolor's patron saint, San Guillermo, where the church is located. It is also known as the “half-buried church” of Bacolor because of the lahar overflow in the province during Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991. Must visit this place with your family and friends⛪🤎
I am always amazed by this Church. On of the best with great architecture. I love the classic design of the front door and the paintinfs inside the church will not disappoint you.
Visited this place for the 2023 Visita Iglesia. The first church n our list. The structure is a work of art, the place is a medium size church with adequate street parking. Although the place is not so new, the place is clean and the place is very organized.
Holy thursday during we visited..
You must visit this spectacular cathedral in Batangas! This was our fith church for Visita Iglesia 2023. The interiors are amazing with breathtaking carvings and paintings.
Such a beautiful church. We passed by and decided to stop because i got so intrigued. Inside there is a grotto of Lourdes like the one in France. There’s plenty of parking outside and there are so many images of Mary outside as well.
This church continues to serve the town of Bobolor even after the disastrous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo June 15, 1991. The ground is now 8ft higher than it was before. Imagine that!!!
This place is absolutely beautiful even though half of it is buried under volcanic ejecta. There is a cemetery at the back as well as a museum on the side, I highly reccomend visiting on any given day.
It's a very quiet place and there's a lot of trees around the church. Very good place to attend mass.
church inside bel air subd.with big parking space
Very nice church near the school of St.Mary's Educational Institute,it's peaceful here even it's near along the way
This is where we normally hear the anticipated mass. It has ample parking space. With PWD access. It has some monitors that will allow churchgoers to read the responses. Maybe the only thing that needs improvement is their restroom and their perimeter lighting. Nevertheless, this is a good place to talk to God.
Beautiful and serene place to pray and reflect. First time here with my family, glad we made the trip. TYL!🙏🏼❤
Napaka gandang simbahan sa bayan ng Bacolor Pampanga, sarap magsimba dito at ikasal in the future... May mass every first Saturday, may chance din mahawakan ang image ni Our Lady of Lourdes.
Very good place spiritually. A lot of parking spaces and clean rest rooms.
Solemn and serene chapel. A nice place to visit for pilgrimage. The church youths are courteous and helpful.
An old and historical Church in Pampanga. The church is a living witness to many of the countries rich history, including being one of the churches in this region to be buried by volcanic sand.
A must place to visit for Catholic pilgrims.
Currently undergoing restoration work, this was the site of the original Archdiocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican, Bacolor, Pampanga. After more than two decades, the faithful can now visit and meditate inside what has survived the lahar flows from mount Pinatubo. The current retablo or main altar design befits the recent history of the structure.
I always love to go to this church but not during the campaign period as it is so rampant that they are particularly campaigning for their bet, church shouldn't get involve and leave it to the people.
San Guillermo Church is one of the seven churches on our list for our Lenten Pilgrimage. Good thing they maintain the preservation of this church! It has a quiet environment and a conducive atmosphere for prayer.
The history of the Cathedral can be traced back to as far back as 1605, when it was administered by the Augustinians under the title “Convent of San Sebastian in Comintang.” But the construction of the Cathedral that we see today started in 1779. Since then, it has undergone a series of renovations and several elements had been added until it was finally completed from 1865 to 1894. The building is well maintained. It has big parking lot in front (with clean toilets at the back).
A historical church named after Bacolor's patron Saint, San Guillermo.

Our friend Krizia graciously gave us a quick tour around the place sharing daunting stories of how the whole place was half - buried due to the ravaging lahar back in the 90s following a series of eruption from Mt. Pinatubo.

Fast forward to today, the church is still being used as a place of worship, symbolic of the Kapampangan people's bravery and resilience. In fact, there was a wedding ceremony during our visit and despite the celebration, I can still feel the solemnity of the place.

The old convent turned into museum wing where church relics are kept alongside old photographs of the lahar tragedy gave me goosebumps. I dunno! It's as if I can hear and feel the tragedy that was. Naiyak nga ako e!

When in Bacolor, Pampanga, don't miss the chance to visit the place. Bubusugin ang puso mo ng mga nakakaantig na kwento. And BTW, dito pala kinunan ang teleseryeng Santino. 😊
Night light of TALISAY SAN GULIERMO PARISH
Super beautiful Church ❤ always love visiting Lipa for their churches. Very solemn and peaceful with such detailed intricacies. There are also prayers that you can pray ❤🙏 as guides. The whole cathedral practices social distancing - they have alcohol and mist provided even. A little piece of heaven here.
Another old church worth visiting when you’re in Lipa. The walls speak volumes of history. The main altar will put one in awe. A feeling of calmness enveloped me whenever I visit old churches. In this time of pandemic, they require church goers to register for contact tracing.
Good ambiance with fresh air and a quiet place
The church is of modern design yet still a solemn place to call and reconnect with God. Parking area is a bit of concern on busy days.
We went here for the chirch wedding of our friend. This church is very nice and beautiful.
Very solemn place for prayers, peaceful and spacious..
The home of Pampanga's patroness Virgen de los Remedios, this is a very special and solemn church to commemorate special occasions. It hosts beautiful and intimate weddings, specially with an adjacent events place and spacious parking within the complex.
Spacious place for intimate religious celebrations.
The Church is okay but the parking spaces are lacking. Doesn't help that some vehicles do not park properly too.
I am not sure if this is a historical church because the structure seems a bit modern, or should I say the materials seem quite new. The altar is grand and the overall structure of the church is well thought of.

Behind the church is the cemetery. This is basically the pattern of old cities.
Love the ambiance
The place has a peaceful ambiance and it is surrounded by grasses. You can feel the cool wind blows here. The church building is simply furnished yet it stands out beautifully. The plave gives off a feeling of tranquility while you are praying and the masses celebrated here are done in a smooth pace. It is good to come here for a mass celebration.
very good place for events
The place is very peaceful and serene.
Behind Talisay Municipal Building is a quaint church with good parking space. The altar is beautiful, the place, serene.
A school beside it and several food stalls across the street for dining options.
Its a catholic church.
Security warning: we held our wedding here, there is an old lady that was stealing stuff - she stole my cousin's purse as per the barangay's investigation. Apparently the lady is too old to be apprehended so she's practically untouchable. Just watch out for your personal belongings, don't be overconfident, some people are not afraid to steal even inside the church.
Saint willam the heimt
Apung Lourdes I miss you.I'm glad your house is still around.Glad to be back home someday.For good!