Guimbal Church or Parish of Saint Nicolas of Tolentino is a parish church established in 1774 by Fray Juan Campos, named after Nicholas of Tolentino, the patron saint of the holy souls. It is located in the coastal municipality of Guimbal, in the province of Iloilo, the Philippines.
I went here at 3 p.m. on August 30, 2013 with my old office mates, Aileen, Chenie, and Lindsay right after visiting Garin Farm. This was during my first time in Iloilo, the 25th province on my list.
Although destroyed twice and rebuilt as much, Guimbal Church is considered as one of the oldest churches in the country. It is made of coral stones from Guimaras, yellow limestone, and adobe known locally as igang. The facade is flanked by pilasters decorated with floral carvings. While its belfry towers four storeys high that doubles as a watchtower to protect the municipality.
How to get to Guimbal Church
Guimbal is accessible from all points of Panay Island.
From Kalibo International Airport, take a five-hour bus or van ride going to Iloilo City then take a jeepney going to Miag-ao or San Joaquin from the Mohon Terminal in Molo District or from the Iloilo Terminal Market (“super”). Tell the driver to drop you off at Guimbal Church.
From San Jose Airport in the capital of the Province of Antique, take a one-hour bus or van ride going to Iloilo City and tell the driver to drop you off at Guimbal Church. It is around 70 kilomenters from San Jose.
From Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, take a van going to Iloilo City. The van will drop you off at SM City Iloilo. From there, take a jeepney going to Miag-ao or San Joaquin from the Mohon Terminal in Molo District or from the Iloilo Terminal Market (“super”). Tell the driver to drop you off at Guimbal Church. It is roughly 29 kilometres (18 mi) and 30 minutes from Iloilo City.
Guimbal Church
Gimeno Street, Guimbal
Iloilo, Philippines