San Pedro Church, Loboc - Bohol Churches

 is the second oldest church established in Bohol. It was originally built in 1602, but was soon reduced to ashes. In 1638, a stronger replacement was built. Located near the river, it has survived a number of floods. Inside the church, there are some remarkable frescoes on the ceiling. A Spanish coat-of-arms can be found in the stone wall near the entrance of the convent. The bell tower of Loboc is about 100 m (330 ft) across the street from the church. Attached to the building is a three storey convent, which today houses the Museo de Loboc (Loboc Museum) on the third floor. This museum houses a few old statues of saints, and some other antique religious artifacts. In Loboc, you can also admire a shameful witness of wasteful government planning. Exactly next to the church is a partly finished bridge across the river. The bridge was never finished as it involves the removal of the Church to be completed.

The Loboc church is decorated with carvings of cherubs, the Papal tiara and emblems of the Jesuit. It has two facades: the Jesuit-built Baroque façade decorated with unfinished medallions depicting saints and the Neoclassical portico added by the Recollects. Although main altar is Neoclassical, two side altars are Baroque and two at the transept ends are put together from several parts, creating a syncretic style. Many of the saints of Jesuit devotion have been replaced by saints of Recollect devotion except for the image of Saint Francis Xavier found at the side altar to the right of the main altar. Also, hidden by the main altar, is a bas relief of Saint Ignatius and Saint Francis Xavier done in stucco.

According to the NCCA website, this church was built in the 17th century by the Jesuits. The Augustinian Recollects added the porticos and funeral chapel in the 19th century. It was also decorated with paintings in the 20th century.

San Pedro Church in Loboc before the earthquake. Ederic Eder

The earthquake brought down parts of the ceiling and walls of Bohol's second oldest church. The facade has collapsed entirely and the bell tower (below) has been halved in height.

San Pedro Church Tuesday morning. Robert Michael Poole via Twitter

The kampanaryo (bell tower) before and after. Ederic Eder/Robert Michael Poole