Tumauini Church

Tumauini Church, formally Saint Matthias Parish Church, is a late 18th-century Roman Catholic brick church in Tumauini, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Philippines. Completed in 1805 after more than two decades of construction under Dominican supervision, it is renowned as the most preserved brick Baroque church in the country. Declared a National Cultural Treasure, it features an ornate facade, a distinctive cylindrical bell tower, and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Visitors can expect a large red-brick Baroque church with an elaborately decorated facade and pediment, a unique cylindrical bell tower resembling a wedding cake, and a spacious interior with a brick nave, wooden altar and religious imagery. The church sits in the town center of Tumauini surrounded by open grounds, allowing exterior viewing, photography, and quiet interior visits for prayer and heritage appreciation. Guided heritage tours are often available.

Construction began in 1783 under Dominican priest Domingo Forto and was completed in 1805. Built entirely of ornate bricks made locally with distinct designs, it is considered the most intact example of brick Baroque architecture in the Philippines. The church was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 1989 and is part of the UNESCO Tentative List under Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension). It survived historical periods while retaining original brickwork and design.

Dedicated to Saint Matthias, the church serves as the central Roman Catholic parish of Tumauini and an important pilgrimage and heritage site in Cagayan Valley. It represents Dominican missionary heritage and Filipino brick-making craftsmanship, and is valued for its religious, architectural and community significance as a National Cultural Treasure.