Kawit Church - Cavite

Located in Tanggulan Street, Kawit in the province of Cavite, Kawit Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

Kawit Church

Kawit Church History

Also known as St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit Church was constructed sometime in 1636 through the help of some Filipino families from the towns of Maragondon and Silang. The first church was built using wood and it was only in 1737 that it was reconstructed and became a stone church.

Kawit Church / St. Mary Magdalene Church - Kawit, Cavite

Kawit Church facade

Kawit Church facade close up

The NHI marker of Kawit Church

Kawit Church altar and the side retablos

Kawit Church interior

Some statues of saints in the church

One of the beautiful glass stained windows of the church 

The main altar and the beautiful retablo behind it

Sadly, the church was greatly damaged by a strong typhoon in 1831. It didn't end there though, the church was almost destroyed during the Philippine-American War in 1898 when the Americans bombed the church because some Filipino revolutionary leaders were believed to be hiding there. The devoted parishioners didn't give up on their church though, a few months after the bombardment, they immediately went on to rebuild their beloved church.

The left side retablo

Another angle of the left retablo

The retablo on the right

Years before, the Americans destroyed the church, it witnessed the baptism of the leader of the Filipino resistance to American rule and also the First Filipino President -Emilio Aguinaldo. As a matter of fact, his birth certificate is kept inside a glass cabinet on the left side of the altar near the miraculous life-size statue of St. Mary Magdalene.

The Backpack Adventures visits Kawit Church

When I visited Kawit Church, I was actually on my way to our company outing in Tanza, Cavite. However, since I would be arriving early, I decided to visit the old churches and historical sites along the way. Kawit Church was actually the second church that I have visited during that "road trip/ Visita Iglesia".

Kawit Church Entrance Fee

It's FREE to enter Kawit Church to explore it and its grounds.

Kawit Church Mass Schedule

Monday - Tuesday: 6:30AM-7:30AM

Wednesday: 6PM-7PM

Thursday - Friday: 6:30AM-7:30AM

Saturday: 6:30AM-7:30AM / 4:30PM-5:30PM (Anticipated Mass) / 6PM-7PM(Anticipated Mass)

Sunday: 6:30AM-7:30AM / 8AM-9AM / 9:30AM-10:30AM / 4:30PM-5:30PM / 6PM-7PM

Why visit Kawit Church?

Kawit Church is one of the most beautiful Spanish-colonial era churches in the province of Cavite. It is a must-visit if you plan to do a pilgrimage or Visita Iglesia in the province. You would surely admire its beautiful altar. 

Getting to Kawit Church:

From Lawton in Manila or Baclaran in Paranaque, ride a bus bound for Cavite City. You can tell the conductor to drop you off at Kawit. The church and even Aguinaldo Shrine are just a walking distance away from each other. 

Ratings: 

Pilgrims

Cleanliness

Overall rating