St. John the Baptist Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Igbaras, Iloilo, Philippines.
Table of Contents
History
The Augustinians arrived in Igbaras and made it into a visita. Its first location was Binanua-an, and although it could be defended from seaborne Moro attacks it was vulnerable to river floods. Hence, it was transferred to Utas and then to Cabubugan. And during the time of Fr. Juan Aguado, it was moved yet again to the new site. He also built an early church made of humble construction materials.
It became a pueblo in 1761 led by Diego de Tamooc. The church and other colonial-era edifices such as the Casa Real were destroyed by flood that a new church across the plaza was built. Igbaras lost its independence and was combined with Guimbal through Act No. 719 in 1903. It became a town again by virtue of Executive Order No. 64 in 1919.
Church-building began in 1872 by Fr. Celestino Fernandez and was completed in 1878. After it sustained damages during the Second World War, it was destroyed during Lady Caycay earthquake on January 25, 1948.
A temporary church was put up while construction of the present-day church started in 1950 led by Fr. Andres Jacob of the Mill Hills Missionaries. The ruins of the old bell tower was converted to an adoration chapel, and its old altar now the grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Rita of Cascia.
The new church was inaugurated on May 22, 1955.
Architecture
The four-bodied, quadrangular bell tower of pierced wall is attached to the church in the gospel side. An overhang can be found by the entrance, and above which are the statues. The front wall is punctured by rectilinear and arch apertures. Meanwhile, the pediment is defined by moldings and bands, and it contains a cross-shaped window
Celebration
The feast day of St. John the Baptist is June 24.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of St. John the Baptist Church in Igbaras, Iloilo 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 Igbaras.
Monday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Tuesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Wednesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Thursday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Friday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Saturday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Sunday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 7:00-8:00 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. John the Baptist Church in Igbaras, Iloilo |
| Address | 126 Rizal Street, Igbaras, Iloilo 5029 |
| Country | Philippines |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. John |
| Patron | St. John the Baptist |
| Feast day | June 24 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1955 |
| Age since completed | 70 years |
| Inauguration | 1955 |
| Tower | 1 |
Nearby Churches
- Parish of Immaculate Conception in Oton, Iloilo
- San Juan de Sahagun Church in Tigbauan, Iloilo
- San Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Dapdap, Tigbauan, Iloilo
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Guimbal, Iloilo
- San Pedro Calungsod Church in Cordova Sur, Tigbauan, Iloilo
- St. Anthony Abbot Church in Tubungan, Iloilo
- Sta. Monica Church in Santa Monica, Oton, Iloilo
References
- Vicariate and Parishes. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro. Retrieved December 10, 2023
- DO YOU WANT TO KNOW about the LOST IGBARAS CHURCH. Jaro Archdiocesan Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education – ACCCE. March 14, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2023
- BRIEF HISTORY. Municipality of Igbaras. Retrieved December 11, 2023
- Act No. 719, April 04, 1903. Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library. Retrieved December 11, 2023