Loay Church

Loay Church
Holy Trinity Parish Church
Loay Church in 2023
Loay Church Location in the Visayas Show map of Visayas Loay Church Location in the Philippines Show map of Philippines
9°36′03.57″N124°00′43.4″E / 9.6009917°N 124.012056°E / 9.6009917; 124.012056
Location	Poblacion Ubos, Loay, Bohol
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Most Holy Trinity
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	National Historical Landmark and National Cultural Treasure
Designated	2003 and 2013
Architectural type	Church building
Completed	1822;204 years ago (1822)
Administration
Diocese	Tagbilaran

Holy Trinity Parish Church, commonly known as Loay Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Loay, Bohol, Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

Built in 1822, ^[1] the church stands on a hill facing the sea and near the mouth of Loboc River. ^{[2] [3]} Like the other churches in Bohol, it has a side pulpit near the altar, a pipe organ, and choir loft propped up by tall columns. ^[4] The church's ceilings were painted by Raymundo Francia in 1927. ^[5]

2013 Bohol earthquake

Further information: 2013 Bohol earthquake

Church's facade destroyed during the 2013 Bohol earthquake

The church was damaged by the 7.2-magnitude 2013 Bohol earthquake. ^[6] The collapse of the front facade wall of the church was partly due to the lack of connecting material between the old wall and a new portico facade added during the 19th century. ^[7]

Restoration

The church was fully restored in 2020. ^[6] Included in the church's restoration is its coral stone walls, roof, and ceiling paintings. ^[8]

Nearby to the church, the Escuela delos Niños y Niñas and the Casa Tribunal were also restored. ^[9] They were converted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) into a museum and conservation laboratory, respectively. ^[8]

Recognitions

The NHCP declared the church as a national historical landmark in 2003. ^[8] Meanwhile, the National Museum of the Philippines declared it a national cultural treasure in 2013. ^[10]

Gallery

• 
  Church interior in 2023
• 
  Church ceiling
• 
  Church NHI historical marker

References

1. "Simbahan ng Santisima Trinidad ng Loay". National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures (in Filipino). National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
2. Añes-de la Cruz, Johanna (September 1, 2023). "10 Beautiful Churches to Visit in Bohol". Spot.ph. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
3. Jose, Regalado. "Bohol Churches". ncca.gov.ph. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
4. Arquiza, Yasmin (October 17, 2013). "Frescoes from the rubble of Bohol's quake-hit churches". GMA News Online . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
5. Team, Editorial (June 25, 2022). "Most Holy Trinity Church in Loay, Bohol". THEOLDCHURCHES. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
6. Patinio, Ferdinand (October 15, 2020). "21 churches damaged in 2013 Bohol quake restored". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
7. Ranada, Pia (December 21, 2013). "What hampers restoration of Visayas' heritage sites?". Rappler . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
8. "Turn-over Ceremony of the Completely Restored Holy Trinity Church in Loay, Bohol". NHCP. October 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
9. "From ruins to renewal: Bohol churches restored". Philippine Daily Inquirer . October 14, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
10. "Fast Facts – Bahay ng Diyos Foundation, Inc" . Retrieved February 13, 2024.

External links

• Media related to Loay Church (Bohol) at Wikimedia Commons
• Loay Church on Facebook