Siquijor, Siquijor (Part II): Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi

This is the old stone church of Siquijor, Siquijor, which founded by the Franciscan priests on February 1, 1783. The construction of the stone church was started by Father Setten, a secular priest, and was under the supervision of Father Alonso de los Dolores from 1795-1831. Its adjoining convent was similarly built of stones, too. Its belfry is a separate building located at the plaza. It was also intended as a watchtower for pirates who frequently raid the shores. The church is not as big nor as grand as the other old churches found in various towns of Panay and Negros, but it shows its own quaint character.

Plants cling on to der life on the church facade and on the rooftops

The church is not as big or as grand as the other
old churches found in various towns of Panay
 and Negros, but it shows its own quaint character.

They use ropes as curtains on every door of the church. This is to ward off the
 “angry birds” that do not hesitate to bombard the interior of the church with their droppings. 

This plaque details in Tagalog the history of the parish church

The church belfry stands separately on the further left of the church, near the shore. It served as a lookout of the villagers against sea pirates who occasionally raided the town.