THE BEAUTY OF

Taal Church Basilica

PUBLISHED April 6, 2007

PHOTOGRAPHY and WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

The Basilica of St. Martin of Tours or Taal Church Basilica is the largest Catholic church in Asia and stands 291 feet long and 157 feet wide, making it visible from miles away. Located in Taal town in Batangas, this impressive structure was built to honor St. Martin of Tours who’s feast falls on November 11th each year.

The first church was built three years after Taal’s establishment in its original site near the Taal Lake. It was supervised by Father Diego Espinar, and in 1642, it was rebuilt in strong materials. However, on 1754, the church was destroyed during a volcanic eruption that caused most of the town to evacuate to a farther location. The ruins of the second church can be seen today at present-town of San Nicolas in Batangas.

The construction of Taal Church began in 1755 and was headed by Father Martin Aguirre, who worked on it for twenty-two years before handing the project over to Father Gabriel Rodriguez. In turn, Rodriguez continued with the work until 1782; his successor was Father Joseph Victoria. Father Ramon del Marco took charge after that—decorating the sections already built and paving some streets with bricks. But an earthquake in 1852 damaged it severely.

The first church was built three years after Taal’s establishment in its original site near the Taal Lake. It was supervised by Father Diego Espinar, and in 1642, it was rebuilt in strong materials. However, on 1754, the church was destroyed during a volcanic eruption that caused most of the town to evacuate to a farther location. The ruins of the second church can be seen today at present-town of San Nicolas in Batangas.

The construction of Taal Church began in 1755 and was headed by Father Martin Aguirre, who worked on it for twenty-two years before handing the project over to Father Gabriel Rodriguez. In turn, Rodriguez continued with the work until 1782; his successor was Father Joseph Victoria. Father Ramon del Marco took charge after that—decorating the sections already built and paving some streets with bricks. But an earthquake in 1852 damaged it severely.

The current church was built in 1856 by Father Marcos Antonio with the help of Spanish architect Luciano Oliver. The church was inaugurated in 1865 but remained unfinished. Father Agapito Aparicio completed the building over the next thirteen years, adding a Doric-style altar and baptistery.

The church has three naves with a grand transept and an elegant facade, which is made up of Ionic and Doric orders. A small tower on the left side of the facade once held a large bell; however—during an earthquake in 1942—it was destroyed. Today visitors can see this historic relic on display next to the entrance for all to admire.

In 1953, the church was restored in preparation for the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Caysasay. The following year, it was declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII—one of only three countries to receive such an honor. The church was declared a national shrine on January 1974.

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