Santa Cruz Parish Church
A Roman Catholic parish church in Bohol whose resilience was tested by a devastating earthquake, only to rise again.
At a glance
Santa Cruz Parish Church, also known as the Holy Cross Parish Church or Maribojoc Church, stands in the municipality of Maribojoc in Bohol’s interior. Under the Diocese of Tagbilaran, it represents centuries of faith and architectural witness to the Philippines’ colonial and modern eras.
History
The parish was first established by the Jesuits in 1767 or 1768, with Father Juan Soriano, SJ, as its founding priest. The Augustinian Recollects subsequently administered the community until 1898. Construction of the current church building began in 1852 under Father Manuel Plaza and was completed in 1872—a two-decade labour of faith and craft. In 2005, the Diocese of Tagbilaran designated it as the Diocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer, elevating its spiritual significance within the region.
What you see
The church’s 19th-century architecture reflects the colonial ecclesiastical style characteristic of Bohol’s religious structures. Its resilience became symbolic when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated the region in 2013, reducing the entire building to rubble—yet the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus remained standing amid the ruins, a haunting testament to faith. The church was painstakingly reconstructed and reopened in 2021.
Cultural significance
Maribojoc Church holds multiple designations recognising its importance. The National Museum of the Philippines declared it a National Cultural Treasure, while the National Historical Commission of the Philippines recognised it as a National Historical Landmark. Its narrative—spanning Jesuit and Reccollet administration, 19th-century construction, and 21st-century disaster and restoration—mirrors the archipelago’s layered colonial and modern history.
Key facts
- Country: Philippines
- Municipality: Maribojoc, Bohol
- Coordinates: 9.740258°N, 123.843447°E
- Parish established: 1767 or 1768
- Church constructed: 1852–1872
- Diocesan Shrine designation: 2005
- Earthquake damage: 2013 (7.2 magnitude)
- Reopened: 2021
- Status: National Cultural Treasure; National Historical Landmark
Practical information & getting there
Maribojoc Church is located in the municipality of Maribojoc on the island of Bohol in the Central Visayas region. For current visiting hours, accessibility, and local conditions, contact the Diocese of Tagbilaran or local tourism authorities in Bohol.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.