Calaca Church - Batangas

August 05, 2019

Located at the poblacion of Calaca in the province of Batangas, Calaca Church is one of the Spanish colonial era churches of the province.

Calaca Church - St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church

Calaca Church History

Also known as St. Raphael the Archangel Parish Church, Calaca Church was said to be founded in 1836 which was a year after the establishment of the town of Calaca. The church was built from the collective sacrifices and efforts of the townspeople of the town. It was said that the men and women of Calaca gathered the materials needed to build the church from the town of Balayan. Using their bancas or small riverboats, they hauled the sand, stone, wood, adobe, and limestone and brought them to Calaca via the Pansipit River. Those materials would then be hauled by the locals to the site where the church would be constructed.

Calaca Church - Calaca, Batangas

Calaca Church facade

The Apostolic Penitentiary posted outside the church during our visit

The milestone marker outside the church

Calaca Church was completed in 1861 and dedicated to San Raphael the Archangel who is known as the patron of the sick, particularly those afflicted with eye problems. He is also the patron of the healers, doctors, lovers, and travelers. Legend has it that San Raphael visited the town disguised as a small boy during a strong typhoon. It was said that he miraculously stopped a giant storm surge from devastating the town simply by waving his hands to the sea as if telling it to calm down.

Calaca Church interior

Calaca Church main retablo

Calaca Church dome painting

The pulpit and the side retablo

Calaca Church left side retablo

Calaca Church underwent several major rehabilitation and restoration works. First was in 1972 when film producer Augusto Bernarte sponsored its roof replacement. Then in 2010, its facade underwent an impressive restoration work sponsored bu Sem-Calaca Power Corp and DMCI Inc.

Who wouldn't want to walk down this aisle?

Side chapel/saints room

My family and I got the chance to visit this historic church during our 2019 Visita Iglesia. It was the second church that we visited during our annual pilgrimage. There only a handful of pilgrims during that time which gave me the opportunity to admire and take photos of the different parts of Calaca Church. What I like most about the church is its somewhat classically designed facade and its stout bell tower which seems to give it a unique look.

Calaca Church Mass Schedule:

Please take note of the mass schedule of Calaca Church

Mon-Fri – 5:30 AM
Wednesday – 7:30 AM (Healing Mass)
Saturday – 6:00 AM
Sunday – 5:30 AM / 7:30 AM / 9:00 AM / 4:00 PM

Calaca Church - Visita Iglesia 2019 Church #2

Calaca Church Admission Fee:

It's good to note that it's FREE to explore and enter Calaca Church and its grounds.

Why visit Calaca Church?

Overall, Calaca Church should be included in your list of churches to visit if you're doing a Visita Iglesia on the southern side of Batangas. Aside from being one of the historic churches of the province it's beautifully preserved interior is a must-see.

Getting to Calaca Church:

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Lemery, Batangas. Travel time is around 3 hours and costs around P150 - P220. From there, ride a jeepney going to the town of Calaca.

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