By KC Santos
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Another old and charming church, loay parish is located west of tagbilaran city, boholThe church is cruciform, has two facades: the older is decorated with low relief and the newer was apparently completed in the 20th century as its upper register is in reinforced concrete. The whole is surmounted by cement statues depicting the virtues.
Loay Church along the central naveThe bell tower is a separate structure built at a short distance from the church. Like many Bohol churches the interior is painted with trompe o'eil and with Biblical scenes. The altars are in the Neoclassical style.
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Loay Church along the central naveThe bell tower is a separate structure built at a short distance from the church. Like many Bohol churches the interior is painted with trompe o'eil and with Biblical scenes. The altars are in the Neoclassical style.
Loay Bohol Church Photos by Oggie Poggie
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Loay Bohol Church Entry Doorway
Loay Church altar
Loay Church Side Naves
Loay Church Ceiling
Loay Church Station of the Cross
Loay Church Angel of the Water Font
Loay Church Belfry Door
LOAY, BOHOL – Tourists here often visit the Baclayon Church (the country's second oldest church) but the less famous Loay Church is just as interesting.
Found in the southeastern part of the province, the Loay Church is what I would describe the least predictable in terms of architectural symmetry and antiquity.
It was one of several centuries-old landmarks we visited during a recent media tour sponsored by Bonamine and the Department of Tourism, highlighting Bohol's rich history and culture.
The church was established a year after the town of Loay was declared a separate municipality from Loboc in the 1700s.
Construction, including the convent and a belfry, was completed in 1882. The belfry, although no longer functional, still stands in the left corner of the church’s façade.
Like most churches, the Loay Church was built from coral stones. While designed to survive extreme weather conditions, the coral stones have become worn, making the church look battered to the point that it would be mistaken as an abandoned church from afar.
Teresita Gudmalin, a caretaker at the church for more than a decade now, told me they lack enough funds nor expertise to restore the church. The church is also located near the river, making it more vulnerable.
Bird droppings also make it worse for the coral stones, not to mention the stench residents endure during mass despite the routine cleaning.
Inside, though, the church looks surprisingly well-preserved. My favorite part was its magnificent ceiling and the altar. My eyes were glued to the detailed “trompe o’eil” paint work on the ceiling.
Despite the church’s long existence, the ceiling looked as if it has just been repainted. Teal (a lighter shade of blue) dominated the motif and the paintings' dimensions make it appear a bigger dome than it actually is.
The altar was just as ornately done as the ceiling. From afar it looked like a delicately-laced umbrella protecting the church’s patron Santisima Trinidad or Blessed Trinity.
The two retablos on the opposite sides of the altar hinted older Baroque and Roman architecture, common among churches built during the Spanish era.
Residents have largely preserved the church's original architecture, including the massive pipe organ atop the church’s choir loft still used every mass service.
Outside the church, the 18-century belfry tower and its 34 steps remained sturdy. Also part of the church were two storage-like structures described tribunal structures.
As with other churches in the country, Loay Church is a perfect study in contrast - worn and weather-beaten on the outside, yet with a preserved and magnificent interior.
Loay Bohol Church
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Another old and charming church, loay parish is located west of tagbilaran city, boholThe church is cruciform, has two facades: the older is decorated with low relief and the newer was apparently completed in the 20th century as its upper register is in reinforced concrete. The whole is surmounted by cement statues depicting the virtues.
Loay Church along the central nave
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Photos by Oggie
Loay Bohol Church Front Facade
Loay Church along the central nave
Loay Bohol Church Photos by Oggie Poggie
Loay Bohol Church Bellfry
Loay Bohol Church Entry Doorway
Loay Church altar
Loay Church Side Naves
Loay Church Ceiling
Loay Church Station of the Cross
Loay Church Angel of the Water Font
Loay Church Belfry Door
Found in the southeastern part of the province, the Loay Church is what I would describe the least predictable in terms of architectural symmetry and antiquity.
It was one of several centuries-old landmarks we visited during a recent media tour sponsored by Bonamine and the Department of Tourism, highlighting Bohol's rich history and culture.
The church was established a year after the town of Loay was declared a separate municipality from Loboc in the 1700s.
Construction, including the convent and a belfry, was completed in 1882. The belfry, although no longer functional, still stands in the left corner of the church’s façade.
Like most churches, the Loay Church was built from coral stones. While designed to survive extreme weather conditions, the coral stones have become worn, making the church look battered to the point that it would be mistaken as an abandoned church from afar.
Teresita Gudmalin, a caretaker at the church for more than a decade now, told me they lack enough funds nor expertise to restore the church. The church is also located near the river, making it more vulnerable.
Bird droppings also make it worse for the coral stones, not to mention the stench residents endure during mass despite the routine cleaning.
Inside, though, the church looks surprisingly well-preserved. My favorite part was its magnificent ceiling and the altar. My eyes were glued to the detailed “trompe o’eil” paint work on the ceiling.
Despite the church’s long existence, the ceiling looked as if it has just been repainted. Teal (a lighter shade of blue) dominated the motif and the paintings' dimensions make it appear a bigger dome than it actually is.
The altar was just as ornately done as the ceiling. From afar it looked like a delicately-laced umbrella protecting the church’s patron Santisima Trinidad or Blessed Trinity.
The two retablos on the opposite sides of the altar hinted older Baroque and Roman architecture, common among churches built during the Spanish era.
Residents have largely preserved the church's original architecture, including the massive pipe organ atop the church’s choir loft still used every mass service.
Outside the church, the 18-century belfry tower and its 34 steps remained sturdy. Also part of the church were two storage-like structures described tribunal structures.
As with other churches in the country, Loay Church is a perfect study in contrast - worn and weather-beaten on the outside, yet with a preserved and magnificent interior.
