Santa Barbara Church is a Roman Catholic Church in the town of Santa Barbara in Iloilo, Philippines. It is a National Historical Landmark and National Cultural Treasure.
Table of Contents
History
The town of Santa Barbara used to be called Catmon and was a visita of Jaro. The friars of the Augustinian order planned to move their Vicariate in the town because its territory was vast, however the plan did not push through.
In 1760, it became an independent parish. According to historical records, Fr. Felipe Ruiz was assigned as parish priest in 1762. He also served in the towns of Dumarao and Lambunao.
Construction of the colonial church was spearheaded by Fr. Francisco Aguerria in 1849. It was continued by Fr. Mateo Rodriguez between 1855 and 1873, and it was completed by Fr. Calixto Fernandez in 1878.
At the onset of the Philippine Revolution, the church was chosen by General Martin Teofilo Delgado as the location to lead the revolution on November 17, 1898 in a historic event that was called “The Cry of Santa Barbara.” The town was the first to lead in seceding from Spain and the first to wave the Philippine flag. The church became the garrison and the convent the military hospital of the Philippine revolutionaries. Delgado would become the governor of Iloilo after his surrender to the American forces on February 2, 1901.
Restoration was carried out in 2013 in preparation for the 117th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day in 2015. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) provided the guidance of the project. The total cost of Php 50 million was funded by NHCP (Php 30 million), Senate President Franklin Drilon (Php 20 million), Governor Arthur Defensor (Php 5 million), and representative Arcadio Gorriceta (Php 5 million).
Heritage
Santa Barbara Church and convent became a National Historical Landmark as declared by the National Historical Institute by virtue of Resolution 1 issued on July 6, 1990. A heritage marker was by NHCP installed in 2002.
It was also declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum on November 17, 2013. The unveiling took place on December 3, 2015. The declaration reads, “one of the best preserved examples of the Spanish colonial church architecture in the province, and is emblematic of the unique, outstanding and intact quality and historical, cultural and artistic significance of the Augustinian churches of Western Visayas.”
Architecture
The church is built in Baroque Renassiance and cruciform-shaped. Its facade in Neoclassical style as evinced by the four sets of twin pilasters Finials are found at their ends at the top. Moldings define its horizontal plane. One enters the church through an arch portal, which is in between two niches: Christ in the gospel side and Mary in the epistle side. In the level above, the church walls are pierced with three arches and above which are emblems in high relief. The one in the leftmost side is the papal symbol and the rightmost the Augustinian symbol.
Its pediment is another interesting feature of the facade. It rises to a trefoil shape, but the apex is a gable with an acroterion and peaks. There is also an alcove where the image of the patron is enshrined. A belfry peeks out in the gospel side on the roof.
The convent, on the other hand, is noted for Moorish architectural elements.
Celebration
The feast of Saint Barbara is held every December 4.
Services
The parish office is open from 9:00 to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of Santa Barbara Church in Santa Barbara, Iloilo from May 12, 2025 to May 18, 2025. Please reach out to the church for an updated schedule. Additionally, you may also want to view mass schedules of churches in Santa Barbara.
Monday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
Tuesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Wednesday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Thursday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Friday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Saturday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM (Anticipated Mass)
Sunday
- 5:30-6:30 AM
- 8:00-9:00 AM
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Santa Barbara Church in Santa Barbara, Iloilo |
| Address | Rizal St, Santa Barbara, Iloilo 5002 Santa Barbara, Philippines |
| Country | Philippines |
| Contact | (033) 523 7928 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1760 |
| Age | 265 years |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. Thomas |
| Patron | St. Barbara |
| Feast day | December 4 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage | National Historical Landmark, National Cultural Treasure |
| Completed | 1878 |
| Age since completed | 147 years |
| Builder | Fr. Francisco Aguerria |
| Style | Baroque Renaissance, Neoclassical |
Nearby Churches
- Our Lady of Candles Church in Jelicuon, Cabatuan, Iloilo
- Our Lady of Fatima Church in Buyo, Santa Barbara, Iloilo
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Church in New Lucena, Iloilo
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Cabatuan, Iloilo
- St. James the Greater Church in Maasin, Iloilo
- St. Martin de Porres Church in Layog, Maasin, Iloilo
References
- Paul Dumol, PhD, Grace Concepcion, PhD, and E.J. Ofilada (August 15, 2020). Research Update: Foundation Dates for “The Pueblos of Panay”. Center for Research and Communication. Retrieved October 29, 2022
- Lujan, Nerio C. Santa Barbara Church and Convent Restoration. Provincial Information Office. Provincial Government of Iloilo. August 1, 2013. Retrieved from original post on October 29, 2022
- Simbahan at Kumbento ng Santa Barbara. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. August 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2022
- Dacanay, Alvin I. Iloilo City: Where the past and present meet for the future. Business Mirror. March 31, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2022
- Yap, Tara. Santa Barbara Church added to Iloilo’s cultural treasures. Manila Bulletin through Pressreader. December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2022
- Burgos, Nestor P. Jr. Iloilo town ready to host Independence Day. Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 7, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2022