Holy Cross Parish Church is National Cultural Treasure and colonial-era church located in the town of Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines. It is also known as Maribojoc Church after the town, Santa Cruz Parish Church, and Diocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer.
Table of Contents
History
Christian mission started in Maribojoc in the 17th century by the Jesuit friars, and one of them by the name of Fr. Jose Sanchez built an early church. Its parish was established either in 1767.
The Jesuits, however, left in 1768 and they handed over the parish to the Augustinian Recollects who built the stone church. It was spared from much destruction in Philippine-American War and when it was razed at the height of the Second World War.
The second church was said to have been built in 1798 and completed in 1816, and records show that the present-day stone church was constructed by the initiative of Fr. Manuel Plaza, OAR, starting in 1852 and it was completed 1872 within the tenure of Fr. Fernando Rubio. The convent and the bell tower were constructed between 1877 and 1898. Cebuano artist Raymundo Francia painted the interiors in 1934.
In February 2005, it was declared the Diocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer by Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak. Devotees flock to the church for its Wooden Cross and the wooden image of San Vicente Ferrer.
It was damaged with the earthquake that struck Central Visayas on October 15, 2013. Its restoration was taken care of the National Museum and took eight years. It was reopened to the public and turned over to the Diocese of Tagbilaran on December 12, 2021.
Heritage
Maribojoc Chuch was given the honor as a house of worship of heritage and historic significance by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and a Level II historical marker was installed on May 16, 2009. The agency installed a new, updated marker in December 2021.
On May 5, 2010, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure through Declaration Number 2 by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Architecture
The church is said to be a fusion of Neogothic, Mudejar, and indigenous architectural elements. Its facade is largely sparse of decoration. One can find four pairs of pilasters of undetermined capitals connected by rows of cornice, (in high relief) flowers, and leaves. Its entrance is an arch portal. Above it and at the very center of the facade is the image of the patron, St. Vincent Ferrer. It is flanked by rectangular windows, which is also found in the pediment. The bell tower is in the epistle side connected to the church via a chamber. While its base is of four-cornered plan, its upper levels are octagonal and it is topped with a pyramidal roof.
Celebration
Previously, it was set in November 24 by virtue of Resolution No. 97 in 1992. The feast of St. Vincent Ferrer and Holy Cross is set every May 5 beginning in 2005.
Services
First Friday of the month at 5:00 AM is the Holy Hour.
First Saturday of the month at 4:30 AM is the dawn rosary procession.
First Monday of the month at 6:00 AM is a mass held at the cemetery.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Holy Cross Parish Church in Maribojoc, Bohol from June 9, 2025 to June 15, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Maribojoc.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Cebuano)
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Cebuano)
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Mother of Perpetual Help Mass)
- 8:30-9:30 AM (St. Vincent Ferrer Mass)
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Cebuano)
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Cebuano)
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM (Cebuano)
Sunday
- 5:15-6:15 AM (Cebuano)
- 8:00-9:00 AM (Cebuano)
- 5:15-6:15 PM (English)
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Holy Cross Parish Church in Maribojoc, Bohol |
| Other Names | Maribojoc Church, Santa Cruz Parish Church, Diocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer |
| Address | Flores Street, Maribojoc, Bohol 6366 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (038) 504-9201 |
| hcp.maribojoc@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Founder | Society of Jesus |
| Established | 17th century |
| Status | Diocesan shrine, Parish |
| Declared as parish | 1767 |
| Age as parish | 258 years |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu |
| Diocese | Diocese of Tagbilaran |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of Our Lady of Light |
| Patron | Holy Cross, St. Vincent Ferrer |
| Feast day | May 5 |
| Relic | Wooden Holy Cross, Wooden image of St. Vincent Ferrer |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage | Heritage Church (May 16, 2009), National Cultural Treasure (May 5, 2010) |
| Completed | 1872 |
| Age since completed | 153 years |
| Builder | Fr. Manuel Plaza, Fr. Fernando Rubio |
| Style | Neogothic, Mudejar |
| Belfry | 1 |
| Tower | 1 |
Nearby Churches
- Holy Cross Church in Cabilao Island, Loon, Bohol
- Mary Help of Christians Church in Sandingan Island, Loon, Bohol
- Nuestra Señora de La Paz Y Buen Viaje Church in Cuasi, Loon, Bohol
- Our Lady of Light Church in Loon, Bohol
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Antequera, Bohol
- San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Parish in Catagbacan, Loon, Bohol
- St. Isidore the Farmer Quasi-Parish in Busao, Maribojoc, Bohol
References
- Simbahan ng Maribojoc. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. October 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Simbahan ng Maribojoc. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. December 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Jose, Regalado Trota (2001). Visita Iglesia Bohol: A Guide to Historic Churches. National Commission on Culture and the Arts. Manila, Philippines. ISBN 9718140166, 978-9718140161. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Holy Cross Parish Church. Municipality of Maribojoc. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- John Legaspi. Take a look at the restored Maribojoc Church in Bohol. Manila Bulletin. December 17, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Happy fiesta Maribojoc! National Museum Bohol. May 5, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Resolution No. 97 Series of 1992. Municipal Government of Maribojoc. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Maribojoc celebrates new feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer. Bohol Sunday Post. April 23, 2006. Retrieved January 10, 2023
- Diocese of Tagbilaran. Claretian Publications. Retrieved January 10, 2023