4 Churches to Explore in Pangasinan

Saint Joseph the Patriarch Church stands out in the town of Aguilar because of its unique color. Painted in a bit of pink, Saint Joseph the Patriarch Church is regarded as the only church in Aguilar, being visited by devotees and locals of all 16 barangays. Construction of the tower began in 1846, with its extravagant church bells arriving in 1886, still holding up to this day thanks to recent renovations. It is surrounded by elementary and high schools, both of which are under the jurisdiction

One of the oldest churches in Pangasinan, St. James the Great Parish Church in Bolinao, Pangasinan was constructed in the 1600s using native materials that include wood, ground coral stones, rocks, and eggs. The church remains the center of the catholic faith in Bolinao and served as shelter from pirate raids as well as during the second world war.

Built-in 1587, Epiphany of Our Lord Parish is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Pangasinan. Influenced by the town’s Christianized Chinese inhabitants during the Spanish Colonial Period, the church was made of adobe with an oriental pagoda-like bell tower. Currently, a replica of the original “retablo” is displayed inside, while a number of huge tower bells from the 1800s are displayed outside the church. Earning its distinction as one of the best structures in Pangasinan.

St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church was the largest existing Catholic Church in the Philippines during the late 18th century. Built by Dominican friars in the 1500’s, the church follows a Baroque style of architecture. It was constructed with ladrillo or bricks while its top level features a painting of Saint Dominic. The church was reconstructed several times after being destroyed by fire, in 1587 and in 1718, and after a number of natural disasters.