Guinobatan Church Revisited 2021

I first visited Guinobatan Church during our 2012 Visita Iglesia. Sadly, I was not yet a full-fledged blogger during those times and I only borrowed my dad's Canon camera so basically, I only took a handful of photos which I later posted in my Guinobatan Church - Albay article dated 2015.

Guinobatan Church

That's why I made sure to include Guinobatan Church in our 2021 Bicol Road Trip. My wife and I visited this church on the 11th day of the said road trip.

Guinobatan Church Details

Guinobatan Church can be found in Rizal Street inside the Poblacion of Guinobatan in Albay. The church is formally called the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church. The church is believed to have been built sometime in the 1670s. In his essay "Guinobatan and its Church", Dr. Leonilo Palacio of Guinobatan's Republic Colleges, it was mentioned that the Parish of Guinobatan was already mentioned in written works as early as 1672. 

Guinobatan Church - Guinobatan, Albay

After being declared an independent municipality in 1688, the town of Guinobatan was placed under the patronage of the Our Lady of the Assumption whose Feast Day is celebrated every 15th of August.

Guinobatan Church - Our Lady of the Assumption

Guinobatan Church facade

Guinobatan Church as seen from the church gate

Guinobatan Church like so many structures in Albay was not spared from the destructive force of the Mayon Volcano. It sustained heavy damage from the 1814 eruption of the Mayon Volcano. Since then, the locals of Guinobatan would transfer to different parts of the municipality and would erect temporary churches for the spiritual needs of the people. It would take years before someone would rally the people back to Guinobatan to rebuild the community and that person is none other than Msgr. Julian Ope. 

Guinobatan Church main door design

Guinobatan Church interior

Guinobatan Church altar

Guinobatan Church side altars

History of Guinobatan Church

Guinobatan Church interior as seen from one of the side altars 

Using his own money and the donations and workforce of the locals, Guinobatan Church was reconstructed. Finally, on December 8, 1906, the reconstruction of the church was finally completed. Although the church and the town suffered damage from the powerful typhoons in recent years, the people never left their beloved hometown like before. 

Guinobatan Church belltower

Going up Guinobatan Church's belltower

One of the bells of Guinobatan Church

Can you spot the bats?

It was during my latest visit that I got to explore Guinobatan Church further. I was allowed access to its belltower and was shocked to discover that it was home to hundreds of bats. This explains the very overpowering ammonic smell in it. Overall, 

Guinobatan Church Admission Fee:

It is FREE to enter and explore the church. You can also give a donation in any of the donation boxes inside.

Guinobatan Church Mass Hours:

Monday: 6-7AM / 5:30-6:30PM
Tuesday: 6-7AM / 5:30-6:30PM
Wednesday: 6-7AM / 5:30-6:30PM
Thursday: 6-7AM / 5:30-6:30PM
Friday: 6-7AM / 5:30-6:30PM
Saturday: 6-7AM / 6-7PM Anticipated Mass
Sunday: 5-6AM/ 6:30-7:30AM/ 8-9AM/ 9:30-10:30AM/ 4-5PM / 5:30-6:30PM / 7-8PM

Why Visit Guinobatan Church?

Guinobatan Church is one of the several Spanish colonial-era churches of the province of Albay. It is one of those that you should visit if you plan to do a Visita Iglesia in the province.

Getting to Guinobatan Church:

By air:

1. Several airline companies offer flights to Legazpi International Airport.
2. From there, hop on jeepneys plying the  Legazpi-Guinobatan route.
jeepney fare: P10-20

By land:

1. From Manila, board a bus heading to Legazpi City. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Guinobatan Church.
bus fare: P900-1200

Ratings:

Pilgrims

Cleanliness

Overall rating