Melo Villareal
St. Anne Parish Church, Molo, Iloilo City
When I was a kid, my Grandma used to drag me kicking and screaming to church. She wanted me to grow up as a devout man. I’m glad to say that happened, but she must be smiling down from heaven now as I still visit church after church on my travels through the Philippines.
The Molo Church, more formally called the Church of St. Anne, is another example of the beautiful coral churches of Iloilo. The Church of St. Anne is a little different from the others, though, in that it carries some influences from the regional populations that exist around it, about an hour outside of Iloilo City.
Catholic Church in Molo
The Molo Church sits on the banks of the Panay River. The word Molo comes from the Spanish Moro (which led to the term Moors, describing Moroccans in general), and it refers to those who practice the Muslim Faith. The Molos of this region used to attack coastal Panay and take slaves. They also made some great soup (Molo Soup), but they didn’t use the slaves in the soup like some other indigenous groups did, LOL.
The Altar
For this reason, the Molo Church looks more like a fortress than a church with its massive Gothic architecture and distinctive red towers. Even the inside of the church carries this Renaissance feel in both the altar and the pulpit. That being said, this isn’t a masculine church at all.
The Beautiful Church in Molo Iloilo
In fact, it has sixteen statues of female saints and is named after St. Anne, who is considered to be Jesus’ grandma and the Virgin Mary’s mom. She must have been one proud parent and grandparent.
The Church of St. Anne continued its fortress-like existence during World War II when it was used as a defensive position against the attacking Japanese. It’s a peaceful place today and well worth taking a jeep to and wandering around.
My Grandma would sure be proud to know that I’m spending so much time in churches, but if the ones she used to drag me to had been even half as interesting, I’m sure I would have spent more time in them.
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Read:
- Best Things To Do In Makati, Philippines
- Best Things To Do In Iloilo, Philippines
- Iloilo’s Churches: Old But Gold
