About St. James the Great Parish Church (Bolinao Church)
St. James the Great Parish Church, commonly known as Bolinao Church, is a historic Roman Catholic church in Barangay Germinal, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines. Built in 1609 by Augustinian Recollects using black coral stones, it is considered the oldest church in Pangasinan. Declared a National Cultural Treasure, it features Earthquake Baroque architecture, massive coral stone walls, and a restored interior, serving as the spiritual center of Bolinao under the Diocese of Alaminos.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large coral-stone church with thick black coral block walls, buttresses, a simple Baroque facade, bell tower, and a spacious nave with wooden altars and religious images. The church is set in the town center of Germinal near the municipal area, surrounded by low-rise buildings and open grounds. Visitors can explore the exterior, interior nave, side altars, and churchyard, observe ongoing religious activities, and take photographs of the historic architecture and coral stone details.
Key highlights
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Constructed in 1609 using black coral stones, the oldest church in Pangasinan
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Declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
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Earthquake Baroque architecture with massive coral stone walls and buttresses