Baclayon Church

The Church of Immaculada Concepcion in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest in the Philippines.

Construction began in 1717 where some 200 native forced laborers (obras pias) cut and dragged coral blocks from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in position.

Millions of white eggs were said to have been used as cement. The current building was completed in 1727.

In the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a new facade- pictured here- and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church.

Old broken glasses no longer can be replaced. The colored panes locally available now are different- pattern is limited only to the basic quatrefoil "florentine" patterns and color choices are only 3: amber, green and blue.

The original ones which date back to 16th century are thicker and deeper in color.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines and is located in Bohol, in the Visayas region.

The construction was started by the Jesuits in 1596. As is happening in most grand historical structures in the country, the church is in partial disrepair.

Read more at bohol-philippines.com