Oton church, the blending of a Greek or Byzantine plan with Gothic and Classic elements, was one one of the architectural achievements of the colonial period. Too bad it’s grandeur can only be seen in pictures today, as it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1948.

oton church

The shape of the Oton Church is that of a Greek Cross, which means that the length of its four sides are equal. In the middle is a huge altar or its retablo mayor, a feature not commonly found in Philippine Churches.

What’s left today is a small part of its walls, which was made into a charming and seemingly enchanting grotto located beside the new church. On top of the stone wall, a huge balete tree has grown and has hidden the stone slab because of the overgrowth its roots.

oton church

oton church

oton church

New Church of Oton