Dauis Church in Bohol: A National Historical Landmark of the Philippines
Dauis Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, is located in the town of Dauis in the island of Panglao. The church was named a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission.
Apart from being associated with the miraculous Our Lady of the Assumption, the church also showcases neo-gothic and neo-classical architecture. The church has a watch and a bell tower made of corals.
The Church stands tall despite the damage that it went through during an earthquake in 2013
Dauis Church was built in 1697 by priests of the Jesuit Order and in 1753, Fr. Joseph Nepomuceno, S.J., built a convent in the church complex which became the official residence of the Jesuits from Loboc.
Fr. Julio Saldana began to construct the present church in 1863 and was later finished by Fr. Natalio del Mar in 1923. In the same year that the construction was completed, the church was inaugurated by Messenger Juan Gorordo of Cebu.
A plaque that declares the church a National Cultural Treasure
The church’s convent was also used as a shelter in World War II by nuns from Tagbilaran City. In 2004, Dauis Church was designated as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption.
A portion of the church’s front and the portico was damaged when a 7.2 earthquake occurred in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu in 2013. In 2015, the National Historical Commission later restored the church complex before being turned over to the Diocese of Tagbilaran in 2017.
A walk through the church complex is a very peaceful experience and is ideal for reflection
Visitors who come to the church will find it relaxing to stroll around the church complex. For those coming from big cities, taking a stroll through the Dauis Church complex will give you that much-needed boost of energy as the church gives off a very peaceful vibe. It’s also noteworthy that you can view the sea from the garden at the back of the church.
Try attending the daily morning masses at Dauis Church every 6:30 am to revel at the beauty of this centuries-old masterpiece.
How to get here:
- By private car: From the new Bohol Panglao International Airport, head southeast to the Dauis-Panglao Road then continue to the Panglao Island Circumferential Road. Make a left before the Poblacion Dauis Barangay Hall and the church should be at your right. Alternatively, you can also arrange for the church to be included in your day tour, just inform your tour agency beforehand.
- By public transport: You can arrange for a third party tricycle to take you to the church at your hotel’s front desk. A ride going to the church costs around Php 300 – Php 400.
General Information:
Address: Circulado St., Poblacion, Dauis, Bohol
Contact Number/s: 038-502-3141
Visiting hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This first appeared in Philippine Primer’s Japanese Magazine April 2019 issue.
Written by Feliz Grace Bueno
