St. Isidore the Worker Church is a 19th-century Roman Catholic church in Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras, Philippines. Popularly called Navalas Church, it is the oldest and a heritage church in the island of Guimaras.
Table of Contents
History
Nayup (Buenavista) and Igang (Nueva Valencia) were the earliest settlements organized in the island of Guimaras at the time of conquest. In 1581, the patron of Nayup was St. Peter and St. Anne for Igang, and they were placed under Oton, Iloilo.
According to a report to the Spanish king on June 20, 1591, the Augustinians provided pastoral care by visiting regularly the early Catholics living in the island.
In 1742, Guimaras became part of Iloilo. Throughout the colonial period, the island was administered by a succession of religious orders, from the Augustinians to the Jesuits (in 1751) and to the Dominicans (1768). In 1775, a parish consisting of Nayup, Nabilhan and Igang was erected and it was handed over to the Bishopric of Cebu.
The church was built through donation by Miguel Jayme between 1880 and 1885 as seen from inscription and colonial-era bell kept at the Archbishop’s Palace. The inscription states, “El Fundador/ Para Mayor honor y Gloria de Dios edifice a su cota Don Miguel Jayme el Nuevo de Julio del año 1880 y termino en 1885.” (The Founder / For the Greater Honor and Glory of God, Don Miguel Jayme built the church on the First of July of the year 1880 and completed in 1885.)
Its facade remains untouched, but its interiors have been renovated through the years. Concrete reinforcement was made in 1970s during the term for Fr. Fortunato Planea, and further renovations were done through Fr. Tomas Delicana. The renovated church was opened to the public on March 8, 1998.
Architecture
The stone wall of its facade contains four stout pilasters that terminate in the molding, which transitions to the pediment above. The entrance consists of an archivolt and arch portal, and it is flanked by huge pillars at either ends of the front wall. A rose window is flanked by a twin arch openings in the upper register of the facade, with inwardly curving walls. The pediment is bare and installed with pyramidal finials and a cross.
Celebration
The feast day of St. Isidore is May 15.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of St. Isidore the Worker Church in Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras 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 Buenavista.
Monday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Tuesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Wednesday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Thursday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Friday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Saturday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
Sunday
- 6:00-7:00 AM
- 8:30-9:30 AM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Isidore the Worker Church in Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras |
| Other Names | Navalas Church |
| Address | Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras 5044 |
| Country | Philippines |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. Bartholomew |
| Patron | St. Isidore |
| Feast day | May 15 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Age since completed | 140 years |
| Builder | Miguel Jayme |
Nearby Churches
- Most Holy Name of Jesus Church in Buenavista, Guimaras
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Sibunag, Guimaras
- Personal Prelature of the Holy Cross in Iloilo City
- San Jose de Lebas Church in San Lorenzo, Guimaras
- St. John the Baptist Church in Jordan, Guimaras
- St. Michael the Archangel Church in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras
- St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
References
- Vicariate and Parishes. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro. Retrieved December 10, 2023
- NAVALAS CHURCH. Municipality of Buenavista. Retrieved December 10, 2023
- DO YOU KNOW THE STORY? series no. 92. Jaro Archdiocesan Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education – ACCCE. March 7, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2023
- Lilian Diana B. Parreño, Ethel P. Junco. The Rise of Christianity in Guimaras Island, Philippines. Himal-us Vol. 8 No. 1 (June 2016). Guimaras State University. Retrieved December 10, 2023