The San Isidro Labrador Parish Church at Lazi

The San Isidro Labrador Church

As inscribed in a plaque found on the church's front wall, the parish of Lazi was established by the Augustinian priests in honor of San Isidro Labrador in 1857. Its church, which was constructed under the supervision of Father Toribio Sanchez, was finished by native artisans in 1884 and the belfry a year later. The San Isidro Labrador Church is another picturesque building in Siquijor. Its façade is a combination of coral stones and wood planks. The front entrance is covered with fishing net. I suppose it serves the same purpose as the rope curtain of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church. The church looks so simple outside, but inside it’s a different thing.

Slabs of coral stones were meticulously cut to form the walls of the church.

A yellow synthetic net is used as curtain to ward of intruding birds. The church is undergoing repairs, hence the presence of wooden braces on the arched doorway.

What’s amazing about this church is its floor inside. It’s made up entirely of hardwood plank tiles, and judging from the looks of it, they may be considered as antique already but I can’t be too sure about that. Maybe I should have asked the parish priest about it. Anyhow, the floor tiles are really interesting as not many old churches in the Philippines have floors like these. But one has to be careful walking because there are some portions that are uneven; a step or two results to loud thuds and squeaking.  

This is the anteroom on the left side of the church entrance which serves as baptismal area. The floor is also in wood tiles but with a different design.

Priests used to deliver their homilies on this wooden pulpit.

The belfry was completed in 1885. It stands beside the baptismal chamber.

When there is no mass, the doors on the sides of the church remain closed.

The  Lazi Convent (San Isidro Labrador Convent), on the other hand, is located in front of the church just across the street. Its construction began in 1887. The building measures 42 by 38 meters and is considered to be one of the largest in the Philippines. The church and the convent were declared as National Heritage Sites in 1974 and 1978 respectively. 

The Lazi Convent (San Isidro Labrador Convent)
is also undergoing some repairs.

 

It was very refreshing in Lazi. Everywhere we look it was green. Giant acacia trees lined up on the roadside leading to the church and convent. So on hot days it’s not unusual to see people sitting under these trees enjoying the cool shade. We would have loved to stay a little longer but as it was, we only had limited time, so it was off to the next location.