Apalit Church

Apalit Church, formally Saint Peter the Apostle Parish Church, is a Neo-Renaissance Roman Catholic church in Barangay San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines. Built between 1876 and 1883 under Fr. Antonio Redondo, it is notable for its twin belfries, trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings by Marciano Dizon, and devotion to Apung Iru (Saint Peter). Declared an Important Cultural Property, it is a major heritage and pilgrimage site in Pampanga.

Visitors can expect a large Neo-Renaissance church with twin bell towers facing a town plaza near the Pampanga River. Inside is a long nave with ornate trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings, gilded altars, religious statues including the revered image of Saint Peter (Apung Iru), stained glass and wooden pews. The exterior courtyard and facade are accessible for sightseeing and photography, and visitors may attend Mass or observe local devotional practices.

The present church was built from 1876 to 1883 under Augustinian Fr. Antonio Redondo, who also designed the structure. It replaced earlier chapels dating to 1597 when Apalit was established as a parish. Built in Neo-Renaissance style with brick and stone, it features ceiling paintings executed by native artist Marciano Dizon under Italian artist Cesare Alberoni. The church survived renovations and has been declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The church is the center of devotion to Apung Iru, the local name for Saint Peter the Apostle, patron of Apalit. It is famous for the annual Libad, a fluvial procession on the Pampanga River held on June 28-30, where the image of Saint Peter is paraded on a decorated pagoda. The church remains an active parish and a key example of Kapampangan religious heritage and craftsmanship.