Diocesan Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua / Simbahan ni San Antonio de Padua “Church of Pila” (Pila, Laguna)

The Church is Under the Diocese of San Pablo, 3rd Episcopal District, Vicariate of San Antonio de Padua

About the Church: The First Church and Convent were completed in 1618. The Town was transferred from Pagalangan to its present site in 1800 to avoid frequent flooding. The present Church was built at the beginning of the 19th Century. The convent was completed in 1849. Both the Church and Convent were seriously damaged during the Earthquake of 1880. On the 9th of July 2002, the Church was declared the Diocesan Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua by the Bishop of San Pablo Francisco San Diego in the presence of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the Incumbent Parish Priest Father Melchor Barcenas and the town people.

My Thoughts on the Church: I had always planned on going to Pila. Though i had already visited almost all the Churches near it, Pila was the one which remained elusive.

Today (May 9,2012) i finally got to see the Church of Pila. The Exterior of the Church was IMPRESSIVE, and what made it more Impressive was the presence of Old Houses and buildings everywhere, the Municipal Hall was equally Impressive (Circa 1931). The Huge Green Plaza in front of the Church surrounded by Tall trees was a sight to behold. The Plaza was uncluttered and well maintained. The Altar was being restored when we got inside, it was covered with drapes so it gives me another reason to go back to Pila.

July 10,2012 – I finally got to see the Altar of the Church of Pila. And it is just breathtaking. I was able to tour the Church this time and I was very impressed with everything I saw except though with the flooring. How i wish that they used Machuca Tiles but nonetheless the Church was impressive.

For a Detailed History of the Church: Visit Bayang Pinag Pala’s article by Dr Luciano P. R. Santiago

More Blog Sites to Visit: Dazzling Dazzle, Back Trails, Ivan About Town (Visita Iglesia of Laguna), Happy Travels, With One’s Past (a WordPress Blog and a Very Nice writeup about the Town of Pila), Biyaherong Barat, Langyaw (Blog about the Town of Pila), Noble Town of Pila by Wow Batangas, Brink Notes

For More Pictures: World Flicks, Flick River (Interesting Pictures of a Procession in Pila), Flickr (adam chua)

The Shrine of Saint Anthony of Padua: