Santa Monica Parish Church, commonly known as Panay Church, is a historic Roman Catholic church in Panay, Capiz on Panay island of the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Capiz. It was built in 1884 on the site of an earlier church, built in 1774 by Miguel Murguia, which was gravely damaged by the typhoon of January 17, 1875.[1]: 423  The church is built of coral blocks and is approximately 70 metres long, 25 m in width and 18 m in height; the walls are about 3 metres thick.[1]: 423 [2]

Panay Church
Santa Monica Parish Church
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Mónica (Spanish)
  • Simbahan sang Parokya sang Santa Mónica (Hiligaynon)
  • Simbahang Parokya ni Santa Mónica (Filipino)
Church facade in 2022
Panay Church is located in Visayas
Panay Church
Panay Church
Location in the Visayas
Panay Church is located in Philippines
Panay Church
Panay Church
Location in the Philippines
11°33′20″N 122°47′38″E / 11.555622°N 122.793905°E / 11.555622; 122.793905
LocationIloilo East Coast-Capiz Rd., Panay, Capiz
CountryPhilippines
Language(s)Hiligaynon, English
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Founded1698
Founder(s)Augustinian Friars
DedicationSaint Monica
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designation
Designated
  • 1997 National Historical Landmark
  • 2004 National Cultural Treasure
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleFilipino Colonial Neo-Classical Baroque
Specifications
Length70 meters
Width25 meters
Height18 meters
Bells9 bells
Tenor bell weight10.4 metric ton (largest bell)
Administration
ProvinceCapiz
MetropolisCapiz
ArchdioceseCapiz
DeanerySanta Monica
ParishSanta Monica

The church has an unusually large bell, the largest in the country. Capiz hosts Asia's biggest “church” bell.[3] This was cast by Juan Reina in about 1884, using sacks of coin given by the people of the town; it weighs more than 10 tonnes.[1]: 423 

In 1997 the church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.[4]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Pedro G. Galende (1987), Angels in stone: architecture of Augustinian churches in the Philippines. Metro Manila, Philippines: G.A. Formoso Publishing. ISBN 9789718575000.
  2. ^ Tom Le Bas (editor) (2013). [ Insight Guides: Philippines]. Singapore: APA. ISBN 9781780051222.
  3. ^ "Panay Church in Capiz: A Historical and Spiritual Marvel". suroy.ph. July 2024.
  4. ^ [s.n.] (1997). Cast iron plaque on Panay Church. National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Photograph accessed April 2016.
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