The day after the Sinulog Festival, my friend Toni and I headed to Moalboal but not before stopping by the municipality of Carcar not only to feast on juicy lechon but to visit the St. Catherine of Alexandria Church as well.
The facade of the church instantly arrested my attention thanks to its architectural style oozing with rich details from its Greco-Roman themed altar, byzantine architecture and two arches shaped like a minaret that one see in mosques.
The church was named after the town's patron saint, Saint Catherine of Alexandria whose feast is celebrated every November 25th. It was built by the Augustinians starting from 1860 until 1875 using coral stones as its main building material. The church is located in the center of a town that features a number of Spanish and American colonial houses–most of which are still well preserved with one house transformed into a museum.
Inside the church, you sense a bigger space compared with just looking at it from the outside. The ceiling is adorned with a painting laden with interesting patterns and popping colors thus making the church appear longer. Statues of saints decorate the hallway while beams and arches line up both sides. Near the door you'll find the stairs leading to the bell tower. I attempted to climb but was met by a scary looking black dog resting on the steps.
There are also a few tombstones embedded on the floor and the walls of the church making it as one of the unique old churches I visited so far. The pulpit is accessible by a spiral staircase and patches of yellow and other colors which were remnants of its old paint are plastered on its walls, all adding up to the rustic feel of the church.
A few steps from the Church situates the Carcar Museum and rows of streets where Spanish and American colonial houses still stands. Across the highway is the market where we did feasted on lechon. The church was a fascinating brief stop on our way to Moalboal and I recommend it to anyone planning on exploring the southern part of Cebu.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church is said to be the second oldest church in Cebu. Located in a town known for its heritage sites, it's an ideal place to visit for history buffs and even those fond of lechon and chicharon. Going here is very easy via buses, vans and jeepneys from Cebu city.
It was raining when we entered the church, but the sky was brighter when we went out pelting only a few drops of rain. I took shelter near the front door and stared at the facade of the church thinking to myself "Am I just staring at this church right now?". Hard to believe, but I really did that day and how grateful I was to have that opportunity to travel and stop at random towns and be greeted with these kinds of landmarks of interest.
