Pagsanjan Church - Laguna
Located in the Poblacion of Pagsanjan in the province of Laguna, Pagsanjan Church is one of the many well-preserved Spanish-era churches of the province.
Also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church, Pagsanjan Church is the home to the image of the patroness of Pagsanjan -the Our Lady of Guadalupe. This image was a gift from rich pious Mexican families after the establishment of the church. The church is also known as the oldest church in the Philippines under the said patronship.
Pagsanjan Church - Pagsanjan, Laguna |
Pagsanjan Church was founded on November 12, 1687. Like most Spanish-era churches in Laguna, it was also first built using only light materials like bamboo, nipa, and wood. Sadly, the church was built by natives of Pagsanjan under forced labor. A few years later, 1690 to be exact, a larger church made from adobe was built to replace the old church.
Pagsanjan Church underwent a long renovation which started in 1847 and ended in 1852. It was during this renovation that the stone belfry and Romanesque dome were built. In 1872, a transept was added to the church.
Pagsanjan Church was heavily damaged when the Americans bombed the town on March 15, 1945, during the Second World War. A replica of the church was constructed over its ruins. It underwent a more serious restoration after the war in 1965. Like the church, the original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was also a casualty of the bombing. The image that can be seen today was contributed (again) by Mexicans in 1958.
The wall of the small chapel is "well-decorated" |
The side chapel of Pagsanjan Church |
The church was the fourth church that we visited during our Laguna-Quezon Visita Iglesia. It was here that we finished our Stations of the Cross. What I like about the church is its side chapel that seems (and looks) older than the rest of the church.
Statue of the Virgin Mary inside Pagsanjan Church |
The convent at the back of Pagsanjan Church |
Pagsanjan Church Entrance Fee
It's FREE to enter and explore Pagsanjan Church and its grounds.
Pagsanjan Church Mass Schedule
Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Friday: 6-7AM, 5:30 - 6:30PMThursday: 7:30-8:30AM, 11-12NN, 5:30-6:30PMSaturday: 6-7AM, 5-6PMSunday: 6-7AM, 8-9AM, 5-6PM
Why visit Pagsanjan Church?
Overall, Pagsanjan Church is a must-visit for pilgrims and tourists alike. It's perfect for pilgrimages and Visita Iglesias. If you spend some time in town, I suggest that you also visit the famous Cavinti Falls aka Pagsanjan Falls as well.
Getting to Pagsanjan Church:
Bus fare: 300 -350 pesos
Travel time: 1 1/2 hours - 2 hours
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