Boljoon Church

Boljoon (also spelled Boljo-on) began as a small Christian settlement named Nabulho.{{cite web|last1=Angliongto|first1=Warren|title=Evangelization of Boljo-on Under the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary|url=http://www.boljoon.com/boljoonevangelization.php|publisher=Boljoon Heritage Foundation, Inc|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102154146/http://www.boljoon.com/boljoonevangelization.php|url-status=dead}} It became a visita or chapel of ease of Sialo in 1599, with the small chapel being dedicated to the Patronage of the Virgin Mary. It was elevated to a parish on October 31, 1690, by Father Francisco de Zamora, Provincial of the Augustinians, as a result of the increasing number of Christians in the area. The decision was implemented upon the appointment of Father Nicolás de la Cuadra as its first parish priest on April 5, 1692.{{cite web|title=Nuestra Señora de Patrocino Parish|url=http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_boljoon.html|website=Panublion: Heritage Sites of the Visayan Islands in the Philippines|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211155134/http://www.admu.edu.ph/offices/mirlab/panublion/r7_boljoon.html|archivedate=February 11, 2006}} By 1732, the Augustinians proposed to leave Boljoon owing to a shortage of priests; they eventually left on September 27, 1737. Administration of Boljoon was later transferred to the Jesuits. The Augustinians regained Boljoon in 1747, under an arrangement by which they ceded to the Jesuits the settlements of Liloan, Cotcot, and Maraling.{{cite web|title=History of Boljoon|url=http://www.boljoon.com/history.php|publisher=Boljoon Heritage Foundation|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102154637/http://www.boljoon.com/history.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Gallo|first1=Nilda|title=Restoration work on Boljoon church to start|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20070126-45779/Restoration_work_on_Boljoon_church_to_start_soon|publisher=Cebu Daily News|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=January 26, 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102161744/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20070126-45779/Restoration_work_on_Boljoon_church_to_start_soon|archivedate=January 2, 2015}} In 1949, the Archdiocese of Cebu took charge of Boljoon.{{cite web|title=Simbahan ng Boljoon|url=http://nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com/search/label/Simbahan%20ng%20Boljoon*|website=National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures in the Philippines|publisher=National Historical Commission of the Philippines|accessdate=January 2, 2015}} Father Zacarías Suñer was appointed as the first secular parish priest of Boljoon in 1958.

In 1782, earlier buildings in Boljoon were destroyed by pirates. The present church was built by Augustinian priest Father Ambrosio Otero in 1783. Construction of the church was continued by Father Manuel Cordero in 1794 and completed by Father Julián Bermejo. Father Bermejo also built other structures as part of Boljoon's defense network, such as the watchtowers and blockhouse. The church was later restored by Father Leandro Morán, the last Augustinian priest of Boljoon, who served from 1920 to 1948.

In 2007, restoration work was performed through the Boljoon Heritage Foundation, with funding from the Cebu Provincial Government.

File:Boljoon Church historical marker.jpg historical marker installed in 2000]]

The church was declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1999,{{cite web|title=Resolution No. 1, s. 1999 Declaring the Church of Boljoon in Cebu a National Historical Landmark|url=http://nhcp.gov.ph/files/NHI_res_1_1999.pdf|publisher=National Historical Commission of the Philippines|accessdate=January 2, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102140016/http://nhcp.gov.ph/files/NHI_res_1_1999.pdf|archivedate=January 2, 2015}} and it was listed as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2001.{{cite web|title=Capitol, foundation ink agreement for Boljoon Church restoration|url=http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/381902/capitol-foundation-ink-agreement-boljoon-church-restoration|publisher=The Freeman|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=January 26, 2007}}{{cite web|last1=Alba|first1=Reinerio|title=The Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches|url=http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?subcat=13&i=17|publisher=National Commission for Culture and the Arts|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=September 29, 2003|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512223346/http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?subcat=13&i=17|archivedate=May 12, 2014}}

It is the only church in Cebu listed as a National Cultural Treasure. It is also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Philippines under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension) nomination, along with the San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church in Loboc, Bohol, La Inmaculada Concepción in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, San Matías in Tumauini, Isabela, and San Isidro Labrador in Lazi, Siquijor.{{Cite web|title=Baroque churches of the Philippines (Extension) |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/3860/ }}

In the 1980s, five early 19th-century panels depicting various saints were reported missing from the church's pulpit, with varying accounts attributing it to theft or an illegal sale by the then-parish priest. Four surfaced in the private collection of Union Bank of the Philippines CEO Edwin Bautista, who donated them to the National Museum of the Philippines in February 2024. News of the donation led to demands from the Archdiocese of Cebu as well as civil officials and residents of the province for the panels to be returned.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/panels-from-cebu-church-surface-national-museum-exhibit/ |title=Panels stolen from Cebu church surface in National Museum; Cebuanos want them back |date=February 18, 2024 |accessdate=February 18, 2024 |work=Rappler}} In response, the National Museum said that it was open to share the panels, adding that the donors procured the panels through legitimate means, “highlighting their commitment to ethical acquisition.”{{Cite web |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/897935/national-museum-open-to-sharing-pulpit-panels-with-cebu/story/ |title=National Museum open to 'sharing' pulpit panels with Cebu |date=February 19, 2024 |accessdate=February 26, 2024 |work=GMA News Online}} A copy of the deed of donation of the panels obtained by Rappler read that the panels should stay with the National Museum, which would hold them in perpetuity and put them on display, while acknowledging that the panels came from Boljoon Church.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/boljoon-panels-deed-donation-document-national-museum-march-2024/ |title=Donation docs specify Boljoon panels stay with National Museum |date=March 4, 2024 |accessdate=March 4, 2024 |work=Rappler}} On April 1, the Cebu Provincial Board passed a motion to file charges against the National Museum and others who took custody over the panels.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/cebu-capitol-to-file-case-against-national-museum-officials-stolen-church-panels/ |title=Cebu Capitol to file case vs National Museum officials over ‘stolen’ church panels |date=April 1, 2024 |accessdate=April 1, 2024 |work=Rappler}} On May 8, the National Museum's board of trustees ruled in favor of returning the panels to Boljoon Church.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/national-museum-board-approves-return-pulpit-panels-boljoon-cebu/ |title=National Museum board approves return of pulpit panels to Boljoon church |date=May 8, 2024 |accessdate=May 9, 2024 |work=Rappler}} The National Museum then formally handed over the panels to the Archdiocese of Cebu in a ceremony at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu on March 13, 2025, before these were brought to Boljoon the next day.{{Cite news|title=Boljoon Church’s long-lost pulpit panels back home at last |url=https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/boljoon-churchs-long-lost-pulpit-panels-back-home-at-last/ |work=CBCP News |date=March 14, 2025 |access-date=March 14, 2025}}

Aside from the panels, the church is also seeking to recover an 18th-century tabernacle which was in the possession of a certain David Kamansky, executive director of the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, California, and was later auctioned off in 2017 by the Leon Gallery for ₱1.4 million.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/visayas/boljoon-cebue-moves-recover-tabernacle-sold-auction/ |title=After pulpit panels, Boljoon moves to recover tabernacle sold at auction|date=April 25, 2024 |accessdate=April 25, 2024 |work=Rappler}}

The church is a fortress church, built of coral stones and located on a hill near the sea. It originally served as a watchtower for Moro raids.{{cite web|last1=Villalon |first1=Augusto |title=Significant Examples of Church Architecture in the Philippines |url=http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?igm=2&i=201 |publisher=National Commission for Culture and the Arts |accessdate=January 2, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014235755/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?igm=2&i=201 |archivedate=October 14, 2014}} The church is known for its original terracotta roof tiles and its distinct folk art or Filipino Baroque style seen predominantly on its choir screen and pulpit.{{cite web|last1=De Guzman|first1=Sara Soliven|title=Boljoon – a national treasure worth saving|url=http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/06/02/1330084/boljoon-national-treasure-worth-saving|work=The Philippine Star|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=June 2, 2014}} Twenty-eight pillars support the {{convert|2|m|ft|adj=on}} thick walls made of mortar and lime. Its ceiling paintings are the work of Miguel Villareal, a native of Boljoon. The three gates and the walls of the church are made of coral stones and were constructed from 1802 to 1808 under the auspices of Father Bermejo.{{cite web|url=http://www.boljoon.com/churchrectorybelfry.php#cg|title=Patrocinio De Maria Church/ Rectory/ Belfry|website=|publisher=Boljoon Heritage Foundation|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102163159/http://www.boljoon.com/churchrectorybelfry.php#cg|url-status=dead}}

File:Patrocinio de Maria Church inside (Cebu South Road, Bonjoon, Cebu; 01-18-2023).jpg

The main retablo is in pseudo-baroque rococo with gold leaf highlights and polychrome accents. Located on the central niche of the main altar is the image of Boljoon's patron, Our Lady of the Patronage, brought by Father Bartolome de Garcia from Spain in 1599. A side chapel located on the left side of the church is also dedicated to the patron.{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2013/11/17/1257794/miracles-our-lady-patrocinio-boljoon|title=The Miracles of Our Lady of Patrocinio of Boljoon|last1=Angliongio|first1=Warren|website=|publisher=The Freeman|publication-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102125341/http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/2013/11/17/1257794/miracles-our-lady-patrocinio-boljoon|archive-date=January 2, 2015|accessdate=}}

The rectangular bell tower used to have seven bells. The tower's ground floor was used as a prison cell, probably for pirates as can be assumed from the drawings of ships on the walls.

File:Patrocinio de Maria Church road view (Cebu South Road, Bonjoon, Cebu; 01-18-2023).jpg

Adjoining buildings were also built as part of the church complex and fortification.

The first floor of the church convent houses a museum containing liturgical objects such as record books, images of saints, vestments and other relics.

The church plaza, locally called Muraya, is mainly used for large church activities. It is believed to be a former burial ground and site of an early Hispanic burial site.{{cite web|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080608-141449/Boljoon-excavation-shows-gold-jewelry--China-trade|title=Boljoon excavation shows gold jewelry, China|last1=Parco|first1=Bernadette|date=June 8, 2008|publisher=Cebu Daily News|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102161713/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080608-141449/Boljoon-excavation-shows-gold-jewelry--China-trade|archivedate=January 2, 2015|url-status=dead|accessdate=January 2, 2015}} Archaeological excavations undertaken by the University of San Carlos revealed several burial sites, antique jars and dishes, a necklace and a gold earring.{{cite web|title=Archaeological excavations in Boljoon unearth "3 firsts"|url=http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/57628/archaeological-excavations-boljoon-unearth-%E2%80%9C3-firsts%E2%80%9D|publisher=The Freeman|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=April 23, 2008}} The gold earring, the first archaeological find of its kind in a Philippine burial site, is probably worn by a person of high status and may have indicated "wealth, influence or great power".{{cite web|last1=Consulta|first1=John|title=John Consulta writes about visiting historic Boljoon for 'Philippine Treasures'|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/232156/news/specialreports/john-consulta-writes-about-visiting-historic-boljoon-for-philippine-treasures|work=GMA News Online|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=September 15, 2011}}

File:Boljoon Blockhouse.jpg

Also called the fortress or Dakong Balay (Big House), the quadrangular blockhouse was first built by Father Julian Bermejo when he came to Boljoon in 1808. The {{convert|120|x|80|m|adj=on}} blockhouse served as an artillery store and as the main fortress in the church complex. It is a two-story structure with a tile-covered parapet, built of coral stone with a tiled roof. Today it serves as a bell tower.{{cite web|title=Blockouse — Fortress|url=http://www.boljoon.com/escuelacatolica.php#bf|publisher=Boljoon Heritage Foundation|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102154548/http://www.boljoon.com/escuelacatolica.php#bf|url-status=dead}}

The first burials in Boljoon's cemetery probably occurred in the 1760s. It was closed when a public cemetery was opened. Its gates might have been built in the 1700s, or in 1783 when the present church was constructed. Consisting of coral stones, the cemetery has a symmetrical stone arch gateway with a three-layer pediment, finials on both sides of the two-lower layers and a stone relief of a human skeleton on top. The walls are also adorned with a relief of a human skull and bones.{{cite web|last1=Ardivilla|first1=Chong|title=Beating a path to Boljoon|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/180938/lifestyle/travel/beating-a-path-to-boljoon|work=GMA News Online|accessdate=January 2, 2015|date=January 6, 2010}}

A former square watchtower made out of coral stone stands on the Bohol coast. It is said to have been constructed by Father Bermejo as part of the church's massive fortification efforts.{{cite web|title=Watchtower Ruins at Ilihan/ Church Cemetery|url=http://www.boljoon.com/watchtoweruinsatilihan.php#cg|publisher=Boljoon Heritage Foundation|accessdate=January 2, 2015|archive-date=January 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102155740/http://www.boljoon.com/watchtoweruinsatilihan.php#cg|url-status=dead}}

The devotion to Patrocinio de Maria Santísima began in 1599, when the Augustinians established a chapel in Nabulho, that would later be known as Boljoon, dedicated to the Patronage of Mary, Most Holy. The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was brought to the town by Fray Bartolomé de García from Spain. For their part, the people learned the associated prayers and devotions. The chapel was elevated to the status of parish on October 31, 1690, by Father Francisco de Zamora, Provincial of the Augustinians, as a result of the growing Christian population. The decision was implemented upon the appointment of Father Nicolás de la Cuadra as its first parish priest on April 5, 1692. The image of Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Boljoon is a de tallado image of the Madonna and Child, with a wooden body and a beautifully carved heads and hands. The image is often dressed in white and blue vestments, and a gold veil.

The image was given an episcopal coronation on November 14, 2020, and in 2022, the image was granted a pontifical decree of Canonical coronation. The Canonical coronation rites took place on April 23, 2022, in line with concluding ceremonies celebrating 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.

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{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu}}

{{National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines|state=collapsed}}

{{World Heritage Sites in the Philippines}}

Category:National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines

Category:Roman Catholic churches in Cebu

Category:National Historical Landmarks of the Philippines

Category:Baroque church buildings in the Philippines

Category:World Heritage Tentative List for the Philippines

Category:Churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu

Category:Jubilee churches in the Philippines