Oslob Church

Oslob Church
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Oslob Church
9°31′15.5″N 123°26′02.4″E / 9.520972°N 123.434000°E / 9.520972; 123.434000
LocationOslob, Cebu
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
Founded1847
FounderJulian Bermejo
DedicationImmaculate Conception
Architecture
Functional status
Active
Architectural type
Church building
GroundbreakingMay 4, 1830
Completed1847 or 1879
Administration
ArchdioceseCebu
ParishOslob

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church also known as the Oslob Church is a Roman Catholic church in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines. The structure was built in 1830.

History

Pre-construction

The settlement of Oslob was placed under a parish ran by the Augustinians. Dealing with personnel shortage, the Augustinians handed the administration of the Oslob parish to the Jesuits from 1737 to 1742.

19th century

Roman Catholic priest Julian Bermejo is credited for the construction of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church which laid its foundation in May 4, 1830. The plan was made by Cebu bishop Santos Gómez Marañón. The church was blessed by Fr. Romualdo Gimeno in 1847. Oslob became an independent parish in 1848. However the Cebu Archdiocese claims that the church building itself was completed in 1879

Fr. Apolinar Alvares had the adjacent bell tower built in 1858. Bermejo started construction of the convent and was finished under Fr. Juan Aragones between 1848 and 1850.

20th century

In 1932, the replaced the church's tile roof was replaced by galvanized sheets by Fr. Pablo Alva.

The church was burnt during World War II, with the vault and dome subsequently falling. It was razed by fire again in 1955. Fr. Benedicto Zafra started the restoration of the church which continued under Fr. Constantino Batoctoy. The restoration was accomplished in 1980.

21st century

The Oslob Church in 2019.

The church's interior and roof was razed by fire again in 2008, with the image of the Immaculate Conception surviving the incident.

The church became affiliated with the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on March 4, 2025.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Languido, Fred; Lao, Garry (March 27, 2008). "Firemen push trucks to scene: Fire destroys Oslob church". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  2. ↑ Napallacan, Jhunnex (March 26, 2008). "Fire guts 19th-century church in Cebu". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Oslob Church Officially Affiliated with Rome's Historic Basilica". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 13, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2026.