St. John the Baptist Church is a 19th-century Roman Catholic and Baroque church located in San Juan, Southern Leyte, Philippines. It is known to be the oldest colonial-era structure in Southern Leyte.
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History
San Juan was called Cabali-an and it is also the name of the mountain range that serves as a natural backdrop. It was organized into a town by virtue of Executive Order No. 84 on November 1, 1949. Its name was changed from Cabali-an to San Juan after the patron of the town, St. John the Baptist, pursuant to Republic Act No. 3088 approved on June 17, 1961.
An inscription on the wall of the church states, “Construida en el ano de 1892 siundo Parroco el Pbr. D. Enrique Carillo.” Its translation means that it was built during the term of the parish priest Fr. Enrique Carillon in 1892.
Building of a more durable church was carried out within the term of Fr. Antonio Kuizon to serve as defense against Moro incursions from the sea. The fortress-church itself is protected by natural barriers: by the mountains of Cabali-an and Kantayuktok from the inland and by the bay on the other.
Architecture
Made of adobe and cut coral stone with a mortar of lime and eggs, its construction was achieved through forced labor as was the general custom of the time.
The facade terminates into slanting walls on both ends, and massive pilasters are decorated with finials at their peaks. The walls flanking the entrance slightly curve inwardly and are punctured by arch doors. Bas-relief of scroll work is visible on the stone wall above the main door. Its cornice is decorated by dentil as transition to the pediment where the niche of the patron is installed.
Celebration
The feast day of St. John the Baptist is June 24 in a town celebration called Sinabligay Festival.
Mass schedule
Below is the weekly mass schedule of St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan, Southern Leyte 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 San Juan.
Monday
- No mass schedule found.
Tuesday
- No mass schedule found.
Wednesday
- No mass schedule found.
Thursday
- No mass schedule found.
Friday
- No mass schedule found.
Saturday
- No mass schedule found.
Sunday
- No mass schedule found.
Church information
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan, Southern Leyte |
| Address | San Juan, Southern Leyte 6611 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Religion | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Status | Parish |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu |
| Diocese | Diocese of Maasin |
| Vicariate | Vicariate of St. John the Baptist |
| Patron | St. John the Baptist |
| Feast day | June 24 |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1892 |
| Age since completed | 133 years |
Nearby Churches
- Saint James the Apostle Church in Silago, Southern Leyte
- Saints Peter and Paul Church in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte
- San Jose Church in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte
- St. Anthony of Padua Church in Anahawan, Southern Leyte
- St. Augustine Church in Catmon, Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte
- St. Isidore Church in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte
References
- Diocese of Maasin. Retrieved December 7, 2023
- History of San Juan. Provincial Government of Leyte. Retrieved December 7, 2023
- REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3088, June 17, 1961. Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library. Retrieved December 7, 2023
- DOT, stakeholders visit potential sites in Southern Leyte in the run-up celebration of the 500 years of Christianity. Leyte Samar Daily Express. March 10, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2023