The Molo Church is one of the most familiar landmarks of Iloilo. Built in 1831, the church stands as a reminder of Iloilo’s rich history and a monument for Ilonggo artistry. The Molo exudes a blatant expression of Gothic-Renaissance architecture, the one of its kind outside Manila. The interior is a fusion of Gothic and Romanesque architectures, there is a constant alternation between the overpowering features of Gothic and the recessive characteristics of Romanesque.
The interior is rich in Gothic elements. There are five gothic altars which are made of wood while beautiful paintings dominate the walls. Female Saints Stand on each pillar and a pair of interestingly decorated pulpits contrast the entire structure. The Spires of Molo are yet the most interesting colonial “skyscrapers” in Iloilo City aside from the neoclassic Belfry of Jaro.
text from Lingganay, collection of Iloilo’s Heritage Churches
Women wanting to be empowered by the graces of women saints have a place in Molo Church. This Molo Church made of coral rocks (affixed with a mortar made from egg whites mixed with sand) earned the moniker “women’s church” because of the presence of 16 images of women saints inside. The centerpiece in the retablo is the image of Sta. Ana, the patron saint of Molo.
It is said that in August 4, 1886, Dr. Jose Rizal, on his way back to Manila from his exile in Dapitan, passed by the church to pray and view its collection of biblical paintings, which is no longer extant.
Molo church is very sturdy and has survived fires, earthquakes, and artillery barrages in 1945. Molo church was made as an evacuation center for the civilians during WWII. One tower is said to have been destroyed by the Americans after suspecting it was used for military purposes by the Japanese during the Second World War. The bells still bear the scars of bullets shot at Philippine resistance fighters in the second world war. The National Historical Institute declared it a national landmark in 1992.
Infront of the Molo Church is the district plaza and its bandstand, a typical feature of old Spanish-colonial towns in Iloilo. This magnificent structure is best seen during the late afternoon when the coral stone facade of the church reflects the soft golden rays of the sunset.
How to get to Molo Church
Molo Church is located within the plaza area of Molo district. It is very accessible from anywhere in Iloilo City by taxi. All jeepneys with “Molo” in its sign board and most “Villa / Arevalo” jeepneys with pass by the Molo Church. You can catch there jeepneys at the “stoplight / flyover” intersection, along General Luna St., Valeria St., or Ledesma St. in Iloilo City Proper.
Molo church is a gothic ranaissance church of coral rocks and also known as a feminist church, any foreigners who came here in Iloilo should visit Molo church its one of the pride of Iloilo.. and also Molo plaza as of now was newly renovate which i think is one of the best place where you can jog either in the morning or in the evening.. the place was good as compared to the newly opened esplanade.. Molo church fronting molo plaza is one good place to visit if your here in Iloilo.
@ton….i strongly agree… the plaza is not pleasant… lack of aesthetics… unpaved ground… if not dilapidated,, no maintenance…. no theme… not landscaped…its very depressing and horrific…. i very rarely set foot in the plaza… it looks like a slum … i suggest it should be cobbled-stone, or bricked, or should made of concrete or limestone all over… eliminate all the cluttered stones and decaying dikes or riprap …
I cannot find any romanesque features inside the church.
Is it not pure gothic?
i visited molo yesterday… thats it
I have lots of memories of Molo Church growing up right in front of one of the most beautiful church in Iloilo. Lent and christmas mass are my most memorable ones inside this beautiful church surrounded by women saints.
thanks for posting the photos! more people should get to know iloilo. it has got the best of both the old and the new.
just one thing, in the history of the church… cr. jose rizal came to visit molo in 1896, not 1886. please check?
thanks! more power!
molo church is of those old churches i’m so fascinated with, i have to request the taxi for a side trip before going to the airport for some photos. it’s gothic architecture is unique here in philippines…
Its a huge church in Visayas and all the saints images was absolutely antiques.
Wowww! Remembering the old happy days…John dee was right, its absoulutely gorgeous church in Visayas. Anyhow diyan kaya ako bininyagan at diyan din ang first communion ko. Baw kasadya guid man ya, walang kapantay na kaligayahan, misses all the Ilonggo foods there, talaba, inihaw, at batchoy. Hmmm..wala yan dito sa OZ.
More power sa mga taga ilonians. Esp. sa mga best friend ko, Ms. Dorothy.
cheers
i’ve seen this place last march2008 during our roundtrip from AUP and around visayas, it is one of the best place i’ve been and the history of it was so cool too.,’ it stands for so long.,’ i know that the ilonngos are very proud of it and so am i.,’ i never thought that philippines would have such beautiful churches.,’ Godspeed you’all~
the most beautiful church in visayas. the city government should do something about the restoration of the church and the enhancement of the adjacent environs, particularly the plaza. ang pangit kc, ang ganda ng facade tapos no good tambayan yng area. sayang, it coud be a good tourist attraction sa cuidad. just imagne, having an outdoor coffee in one lazy afternoon on a pavers ground, fronting the gothic architcture church and old colonial houses on the bckground. feels like europe, hehehe. isn’t it? mayor do somethng to make iloilo look more pleasant. just like what ateinza did in manila.
i have been to iloilo but never been to this church, i just came in to jaro cathedral and they had all male saints namely the 12 apostle, but in this pic they showed 16 female saints, i was impressed that ilonggos have their unique churches, i hope to see this church when i come back again to iloilo
nice pix…
Hi! Chymera, musta ka na?
Requesting permission to post one(1) Sta. Ana Church photo in our Locsin family website. This church was built in 1831 by our ancestor, Josef Manuel Locsin y Sayson. Salamat guid!
Sa guihapon…dinggol a.divinagracia
Your site is awesome & informative. I’m planning to go to iloilo by january 2008, can you tell me the “places/things I shouldn’t miss” in visiting your place. thanks!
nice pix
memories…
im malou im born in iloilo but molo church its so beatifull now the priest it so good if going married someday i want to do in molo church god bless you .
Molo church is one of the memorable place i had during my high school and college days.
It was a place where we eat water melon together with my high school classmates in ICNHS. i know lots of people valued the place so much too. i know some people who met in the place and get married later on. some came to the place to find healing and calming atmosphere out from a very busy day. others are excited to come to eat some bebingka especially during simbang gabi( aginaldo?).
Let’s therefore help preserve the place. The place is so full of memories!
God bless!
Dee T.