SUNDAYS and the day by day mass, weddings, and christenings, these are times when worshippers enter the halls of God for supplications of thanks and benevolence.
The Holy Week is likely the busiest time for the Catholic Churches, Maundy Thursday generally particularly. It is the point at which the devotees do the Lenten act of Visita Iglesia. This additionally offers the opportunity to return to different places of worship past one's parish.
Proudly to say We are the only Christian country in Asia. This blog will give you the chance to admire the beautiful interiors of the sacred places.
Here's our personal list of the top 10 most beautiful churches in Davao:
1.San Pedro Cathedral
San Pedro corner C.M. recto Streets
San Pedro Cathedral is the city's most established church. The previous church said to be where the right chapel stands today, was worked in 1847 utilizing nipa and bamboo. It was modified wood in the mid-1900s by Architect Ramon Basa and a new, greater church designed to mimic an arc was planned by Architect Manuel Chiew in 1964.
The interior ceiling design appears to guide the eye to the angled setting at the chancel that holds the gilded altar.
The church serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao and is considered a National Cultural Treasure looks as simple inside as it does outside.
2. Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague
Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City
Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague is a catholic shrine with a statue of the infant Jesus that was stolen by a Filipino from a Prague Church in the 1960s or ’70s.
Looking to the structure of the church, I find Matina shrine as the viewpoint of Davao City, many people were worshipped and prayed with their saints also, despite from high location where ; catholic shrine located, the said statue of the holy infant of Jesus was stolen by a Filipino from a Prague Church in the 1960s or ’70s. In line with that, I had climbed the said place, and I've seen how pleasing to the eyes was the statue of Jesus in which, every creation and wonderful saints were still there.
3. Sta. Ana Parish Church
Sta. Ana Avenue, Brgy. 14-B, Davao City
Santa Ana Parish was detached from San Pedro Parish and canonically erected on July 26, 1949. The plan to put up another parish in Davao City due to the increasing population of Catholics which San Pedro Parish could not alone contain. The amount used to purchase the land was donated by the prominent people of Davao City and from the Foreign Missions Society of Quebec Council.
This is the church that I adore, because of the design inside; the walls were of cement blocks, the windows which are in gothic style made up of tiny pieces of glass the colors which mixed together harmoniously, the beautiful paintings above is also an attraction for me. It is an airconditioned church so you can pay more attention to the homily. I also observed that its popularity as a wedding church for most couples. The only thing I am concerned about is the parking area it is a bit problem when there are many churchgoers.
4. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church
Loyola Street, Barrio Obrero Davao City
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church is the conceptualization of the Parish Church amidst such groupings and sectoral devotions, a uniting force came into the barrio. Rev. Fr. Paul Lu Te-Shan PME, of the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec Canada, was commissioned by the most Rev. Clovis Thibault, DD. The first Archbishop of Davao to meet with the Catholic lay leaders of the community and broached the idea of setting up a new parish separate from Sta. Ana parish to which the barrio belongs.
This church is in solemn place especially the adoration chapel at the back, it is an airconditioned very perfect for the Philippine weather. I love how serene and calming since you don’t really hear the outside noise because of its all closed doors.
5. San Antonio de Padua church
Holy Cross Drive, Agdao Davao City
San Antonio de Padua Parish was born in 1963 with Father George Reid, PME as its first parish priest. With its birth in 1963 came also the founding of Barangay Sang Virgen, Barangay Apostles club, Legion of Mary, and the spread of catechism in the parish. In 1964, the Holy Cross of Agdao was founded.
San Antonio de Padua Church is accessible to everyone because of its location, just 3 minutes away from Agdao Public Market. The church is quite big it can accommodate a lot of people, even if it is not in airconditioned it is still cool because of the three huge fans above. I also feel secure because of the police visibility around.
6. Redemptorist Church
J.P Laurel Avenue, Redemptorist Church, Bajada, Davao City
Redemptorist Church's first construction is planted in Mindanao, Mount St. Mary’s in Davao City began in June 1958, it was ready to welcome the community of the four priests and Brothers on May 8, 1959. The new parish church was blessed and sanctified the consecutive years. Furthermore, the said patron for the Redemptorist church is Mother of Perpetual Help, also, this is one of the most visited church during the Holy week’s Bisita Iglesias.
Redemptorist was considered as one of the most visited church in Davao City, aside from its geographic location nearby Downtowns, this place become notable to everyone especially to those who believed and followed Jesus, we all know redemptorist were very known because of wonderful spot and eco-friendly environment. In addition, when I went to there, I'd considered the place as one of the best churches, not just because to spot itself, however, to the reason for the experienced and memories I find there. Also, during holy week, I do go there to worship God, venerate Mary, and ask for forgiveness with my sins.
7. Our Lady of the Assumption Church
F. Torres St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur
The Our Lady of Assumption Church is located at F. Torres St, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur. Also known as Assumption Parish. 1956, the Redemptorist Fathers Fr. John Scanlan, CSsR came and started to build a mission church. 1980’s the present church building was built. 1991, the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism was incorporated during 9:30 and 4:30 masses into the Sunday schedule.
The church has good simplistic architecture. Assumption parish initiated liturgical creativity and reforms which in effect send ripples to other parishes in the Archdiocese. This is a church built far from the national highway that the place can be solemn, the peace can give you meditation and time to God that you need. This church is good to be visited during the lent.
8. St. Joseph the Worker Parish
Sasa, Davao City, Davao del Sur
St. Joseph the Worker Parish located at Sasa, Davao City, Davao del Sur. A beautiful church made of marble and surrounded by verdant trees. It is one of the Davao churches that renovated its main building to include air-conditioning. The church has been developed into a stunning piece of architecture which may well be a tribute to its patron St. Joseph who was himself a carpenter.
The church is also one of the most-visited churches when visiting Davao. With stunning architecture, who cannot say no for a good wedding venue? And also one of the nearest church to go during Visita Iglesia, very convenient and solemn, also a piece of modern art.
9. St. Jude Thaddeus Parish
General Malvar St, Poblacion District, Davao City, Davao del Sur
St. Jude Thaddeus Parish is situated in the southwest bend with the City of Davao at General Malvar Street. 1964, the late Archbishop Clovis Thibault, PME, who was then bishop of Davao, asked an extra PME priest, Fr. Paul Gravel, to open just a little chapel in Malvar Street. A year later, in 1965, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church was officially proclaimed as an independent parish beneath the Archdiocese of Davao. The parish church architecture that we’re seeing nowadays was constructed in 1975.
The church is one of the Davao churches with an air-conditioning system. Also, a must-visit on days of lent; it is situated in downtown beside the Davao Doctors Hospital. As a church dedicated to the saint of lost causes, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church remains to become a solace not just to those that have lost hope, but a lot much more so to these that discovered God, in Jesus Christ, as their only hope, strength, and salvation.
10. St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish
3 Cabantian, Buhangin, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur
St. Mary was located near sison, village Buhangin Davao City. The thing that is pleasing in St. Mary Parish are those Devoted Catholics were climbing up the stairs to the shrine in order to get a good reflection and overlooking the view. In line with this, all the catholic families within the neighborhood are considered by the parish as members of the basic ecclesial community and St. Mary Parish known to its religious place, where Christians and other religions are allowed to visit the said sacred place.
As we look at the place of St. Mary Parish, we can see different forms of life, wherein people wanted to visit its religious monument of virgin Mary, Catholics were climbing the stairs to show respect and devotion to Mary. Also, aside from its holy place, St. Mary Parish, valued life for the reason of showing respect and care. In line with that, we consider St. Mary Parish as the foundation of the church because of its contribution to the life of Jesus. I had been visiting St. Parish before and I find it beautiful, because during that time when I had my recollection there, and by that, we are assigned to different catechists and taught us how to value people and other lives.
