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Santa Monica Parish Church, commonly known as Panay Church, is a historic Roman Catholic church in Panay, Capiz on Panay island of the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Capiz. It was built in 1884 on the site of an earlier church, built in 1774 by Miguel Murguia, which was gravely damaged by the typhoon of January 17, 1875.[1]: 423 The church is built of coral blocks and is approximately 70 metres long, 25 m in width and 18 m in height; the walls are about 3 metres thick.[1]: 423 [2]
Panay Church | |
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Santa Monica Parish Church | |
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Mónica (Spanish) | |
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![]() The church in 2022 | |
Location in the Visayas | |
11°33′20″N 122°47′38″E | |
Location | Iloilo East Coast-Capiz Rd., Panay, Capiz |
Country | Philippines |
Language(s) | Hiligaynon, English |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
History | |
Founded | 1698 |
Founder(s) | Augustinian Friars |
Dedication | Saint Monica |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | |
Designated |
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Architectural type | Church building |
Style | Filipino Colonial Neo-Classical Baroque |
Specifications | |
Length | 70 meters |
Width | 25 meters |
Height | 18 meters |
Bells | 9 bells |
Tenor bell weight | 10.4 metric ton (largest bell) |
Administration | |
Province | Capiz |
Metropolis | Capiz |
Archdiocese | Capiz |
Deanery | Santa Monica |
Parish | Santa Monica |
The church has an unusually large bell, the largest in the country. Capiz hosts Asia's biggest “church” bell.[3] This was cast by Juan Reina in about 1884, using sacks of coin given by the people of the town; it weighs more than 10 tonnes.[1]: 423
In 1997 the church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.[4]