About St. Francis of Assisi Church
St. Francis of Assisi Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Poblacion, Siquijor town on Siquijor Island, Siquijor Province. Built of coral stone by Augustinian Recollects starting in 1783, it is one of the oldest churches in the province. Notable for its thick coral-stone walls, adjacent convent and freestanding bell tower, it serves as the main parish church of Siquijor municipality and a key heritage landmark along the island circumferential road.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a historic coral-stone church facing the town plaza in central Siquijor town. The exterior shows thick stone walls, a simple Baroque facade and a separate bell tower. Inside is a single-nave interior with wooden altar and religious images. The adjacent convent, now partly used as parish facilities, and the churchyard are accessible. The setting is quiet and central, within walking distance of the municipal plaza and port area, suitable for brief sightseeing, photography and attending Mass.
Key highlights
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Coral-stone church originally built in 1783 by Augustinian Recollects
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Historic convent (kumbento) adjacent to the church, one of the oldest in the Visayas
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Freestanding bell tower across the road from the church
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Location fronting Siquijor town plaza along the circumferential road
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Active Roman Catholic parish under the Diocese of Dumaguete
History of St. Francis of Assisi Church
Founded as a parish in 1783 by Augustinian Recollect priests, the church was constructed using coral stone and local hardwood. The convent was built in the 19th century. It is among the oldest Spanish-era ecclesiastical structures in Siquijor Province and reflects Recollect missionary expansion in the Visayas during the late Spanish colonial period. The complex has undergone repairs but retains its original coral-stone fabric.
Culture & Context
The church is the central place of worship for the Catholic community of Siquijor municipality and is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, the town's patron saint. It hosts regular liturgical services, town fiestas and religious processions, and is recognized as an important cultural and heritage landmark of Siquijor Island for visitors interested in religious architecture and local history.