About Bacarra Church (San Andres Apostol)
Bacarra Church, formally Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish Church, is a Roman Catholic heritage church in Brgy. Sta. Rita, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Founded as a parish by the Augustinians in 1590, the present coral-block church was completed in 1782. It is notable for its distinct domeless, leaning bell tower, damaged by earthquakes in 1931 and 1983, and for its Earthquake Baroque architecture.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a historic coral stone and brick church with a simple facade, wooden altar and religious images inside, and a separate three-storey domeless bell tower that visibly leans. The complex includes the church plaza, convent ruins and a small museum area. The setting is a quiet town center surrounded by residential houses, with space for photography, prayer and viewing the tower from the churchyard.
Key highlights
- 01
Domeless leaning bell tower - 50-meter, three-storey coral and brick tower that tilts after earthquake damage
- 02
1782 Earthquake Baroque church built with coral blocks, bricks and lime mortar
- 03
Active parish church dedicated to Saint Andrew the Apostle with historic wooden retablo
- 04
Ruins and restored sections showing damage from 1931 and 1983 earthquakes
- 05