It is the time of the year again to visit churches as part of the Holy week tradition.
The Visita Iglesia, also known as “Seven Churches Visitation,” is usually done in the evening of Maundy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
If your family is planning to do the Visita Iglesia in nearby provinces, Bulacan houses many Catholic churches with historical and cultural significance that can enhance the experience.
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
A few kilometers from the Marilao town northbound exit is a church dedicated to Saint Michael, one of the archangels. St. Michael the Archangel Parish started as a chapel established by Padre Vicente de Talavera on April 21, 1796, according to the historical marker of the National Historical Institute (NHI) installed in front of the church.
DEDICATED TO SAINT MICHAEL – The St. Michael the Archangel Parish (St Michael the Archangel Parish Marilao, Bulacan Official Facebook page)
The construction of the first church building was completed in 1868 but was razed by a fire in 1899 during the Philippine-American war. The church underwent reconstruction in 1902 and 1922 and was completed in 1967 under the supervision of Fr. Jose M. Salas.
The church stands along San Miguel Street near the old municipal hall and Catholic cemetery.
Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion
The Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion in Santa Maria town was established by Franciscan friars in 1792. The church was given the Minor Basilica title in late 2021. It is the second church in the Malolos Diocese to earn the same title more than two decades after the Malolos Cathedral in 1999.
SECOND IN MALOLOS DIOCESE – The Minor Basilica of La Purísima Concepción (Municipality of Santa Maria Official Facebook page)
It houses the image of La Purisima Concepcion which received a Canonical Coronation in 2020. The image will be covered during the Holy Week as part of church tradition. The church faces F. Santiago Street, only a few meters from the municipal hall.
Saint John of God Parish
A Catholic church dedicated to Saint John of God is located in Barangay Poblacion in San Rafael town, the patron saint of hospitals and the sick, and Saint Raphael, one of the seven archangels.
SAN RAFAEL CHURCH – The St. John of God Parish Church. (San Rafael, Bulacan Official Facebook page)
The church witnessed a violent and bloody battle toward the end of Spanish colonial rule, as commemorated through a historical marker in front of the church, according to the San Rafael website.
The Battle of San Rafael took place on Nov. 30, 1896, between Filipino revolutionaries under Gen. Anacleto “Matanglawin” Enriquez and Spanish forces led by Commandant Lopez Arteaga, where some 800 locals seeking shelter were killed.
Saint Augustine Parish
At the Plaza Naning in Baliuag City, you will find the Saint Augustine Parish. It was founded by Augustinian friars in 1733 and dedicated to Saint Augustine of Hippo, according to the official website of the local government unit.
BALIUAG CHURCH – The Saint Augustine Church (Provincial Government of Bulacan website)
Before you enter the church, you will see a huge white marble figure of Moses carrying two tablets with the 10 commandments.
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint John the Baptist
The church visit will not be complete without dropping by the Saint John the Baptist Church along Padre Burgos Street in Calumpit town.
BULACAN'S OLDEST CHURCH – The St. John the Baptist Parish. (Provincial Government of Bulacan)
It is considered the oldest church in Bulacan having been constructed in 1572, under the supervision of Augustinian priest Fr. Diego Vivar-Ordoñez, according to the Provincial Government of Bulacan website.
Barasoain Church
Barasoain Church, or the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, is known for its historical significance as the venue of the Sept. 15, 1898 national convention to write the constitution and the site of the inauguration of the first Philippine Republic on Jan. 23, 1899, according to the church’s official website.
BARASOAIN CHURCH – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. (Freddie Velez)
The stone church that people see today was constructed from 1885 to 1888 and designed by Miguel Magpayo. It stands along Paseo del Congreso Street in Malolos City.
Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Near Barasoain Church is the Malolos Cathedral, or the Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which was founded by Augustinian friars on June 11, 1580, according to the National Historical Commission’ marker posted on its Facebook page.
MALOLOS CATHEDRAL – Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. (Provincial Government of Bulacan website)
The church became the cathedral of the Diocese of Malolos on March 11, 1962, and was given the Minor Basilica title in 1999. It was the venue of the meeting of 20 young women from Malolos with Gov. Gen. Valeriano Weyler on Dec. 12, 1888, to seek permission to open a school.
A century-old tree called Kalayaan Tree still stands in front of the church, planted by the late former President Emilio Aguinaldo during a break in the Malolos Convention, according to the Provincial Government of Bulacan website.