Passi Church

Passi Church
Saint William the Hermit of Maleval Parish Church
Parokya ni San Guillermo Ermita ng Maleval (Filipino)
Church façade in 2011
Passi Church Location in the Visayas Passi Church Location in the Philippines
11°06′22″N 122°38′27″E
Location	Passi, Iloilo
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	1812
Dedication	William of Maleval
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Baroque Revival
Completed	1877
Specifications
Materials	Limestone
Administration
Archdiocese	Jaro

Saint William the Hermit of Maleval Parish Church, also known as San Guillermo Parish Church and Passi Church, is Roman Catholic parish church located in Passi City in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is under the Archdiocese of Jaro.

History

Saint William Church was originally constructed in 1812 as one of 72 different Augustinian churches on Panay Island. The church's original structure was destroyed by a lightning-induced fire in its early years and was later reconstructed to its present form. The church was reconstructed between 1856 and 1877 under the direction of Fr. Pedro Ceberio. The adjoining convent was built by Fr. Crescencio Bravo. Despite facing significant damage during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, which partially buried the church in lahar, the building continues to serve as a place of worship. It is also renowned for its numerous images of the Blessed Virgin and has become a popular tourist destination.

Architecture

The church is built in a Baroque style using limestone, with massive boulders serving as buttresses along the front and nave walls. The facade is simple, with minimal decoration, featuring an arched portal flanked by pilasters and scroll work, as well as arch and round windows. The pediment is topped with a cross, and the apse wall includes arched windows. A bell tower is located at the top of the pediment.

Inside, the church boasts a main retablo, side retablos, and pulpit, all heavily gilded with gold leaf. These rich decorations, along with the centuries-old statues displayed in the retablo niches, reflect the Baroque style. Many of these statues were saved from destruction during the lahar flow caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

On the gospel side of the church is the Jardin de los Santos, a garden dedicated to saints.

External links

• Media related to Saint William Parish Church (Passi, Iloilo) at Wikimedia Commons
• Passi Church on Facebook