Churches to visit in Bulacan for Visita Iglesia 2016 - A Holy Week's Guide

Being a Catholic country, the Holy Week is a big event here in the Philippines It is a week long commemoration of Jesus Christ's death and rising. This is the longest holiday in a year that everyone really wants to get out and have fun. For devout Catholics, there is a Semana Santa commemoration.

Bulacan is a province just a few hours in Manila. It is a favorite place for Visita Iglesia because of its many churches that have been around decades ago, some are already centuries old!

Read here if you want to have a VISITA IGLESIA MANILA: 7 BEAUTIFUL CHURCHES TO VISIT IN METRO MANILA

Here is a guide if you want to visit churches in Bulacan. 

1. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISSI CHURCH,  Meycauayan

Meycauayan church was established in 1578 and has administered citizens of the then very large part of Southern Bulacan. From this church was born the churches of Bocaue, Obando, Polo, San Jose del Monte, Bigaa, Santa Maria and Marilao. It is one of Bulacan's oldest church.

2. ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH, Marilao

The parish was established in 1796 but the construction of the stone church started in 1848 and finished in 1868. The facade is plastered though its antiquity is still evident. The bell tower, though recessed, is beautiful.

3. ST. MARTIN OF TOURS CHURCH, Bocaue

This church in Bocaue is one of the oldest in Bulacan having been established in 1600's. The famous Holy Cross of Wawa, the one being used in the yearly Pagoda Festival, is being kept in this church.

4. THE SHRINE OF SAINT ANDREW KIM, Bocaue

St. Andrew Kim Tae Gon is believed to be the first Korean Catholic. He was beatified by Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925 and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 6, 1984. St. Kim was enthroned as secondary Patron Saint of Lolomboy Parish (as stated in the memorial tablet). St. Kim has a great significance to Lolomboy, Bocaue as he went to here during his stay in the Philippines to study.

5. OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CHURCH, Bulacan

Originally founded as a visita of Tondo, it was made into an independent parish in 1578. It has experienced numerous destruction because of earthquakes but the townsfolk has always successfully restores the church each time. Gregorio del Pilar has secretly distributed polyetos (pamphlets) here. Said polyetos contain campaign articles written by Gregorio's uncle, Marcelo del Pilar, against the Spaniards.

6. OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL CHURCH, Malolos

Known as Barasoain Church the place where Malolos Constitution was ratified. One of the most historical churches in the whole country.

7. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL, Malolos

The seat of the Diocese of Malolos. The church is one of the oldest in Bulacan having been founded in 1580. General Emilio Aguinaldo used this church as the office of the First Philippine Republic from 1898-1899. 

8. SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR CHURCH, Pulilan

This church was established in 1749 at the time the town was still part of the province of Pampanga. It is famous for the Carabao Festival where the parading carabaos kneel down upon reaching the front of the church.

9. ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE CHURCH, Plaridel  

*The church is one of the oldest in Bulacan. In the olden times, this church administers spiritual needs of citizens as far as San Ildefonso, Baliwag, Bustos and Angat when those are not yet towns but are still under the jurisdiction of Quingua, the old Plaridel. It has a facade which have Moorish influence while at the side is a beautifully made octagonal bell tower of four levels. 

By the way, if you are looking for a Visita Iglesia tour package so you don't have to worry about your transportation, food and all that, we invite you to our 2016 Holy Week Church Visitation in Bulacan. You can click here for more details. 

If you want to do 2017 Visita Iglesia in Batangas instead, please click HERE this list of 28 churches.