Misamis Occidental Tour Guide in Jimenez

Founded by the Augustinian recollects on the day of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1859, the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist is at the forefront of the municipality’s history.  Like any other Catholic churches, the aim is not just to further spread Christianity but also to serve as a political backbone of Spanish colonial rule.  When during those times, the church and state were regarded as one.  You may refer that to a Misamis Occidental tour guide. Nonetheless, the church served as a fortress during the Spanish and Japanese wars.  There was a hidden tunnel as passageway for the townsfolk to use whenever there were rumblings around them.  I didn’t fail to imagine all the chaos the church must had been.  But like a mighty fortress, it stood the tests of times and is standing still as a cradle of Christianity in the locality.  Take it from a Misamis Occidental tour guide! For other historical sites in the province, click here.

As a centuries old church, its facade tells its antiquity.  It is made up of coral stones from each churchgoer who were obliged to bring one during its construction as folktales and Misamis Occidental tour guide said so.

 

The interior boasts of its ceiling which is painted Trompe-l’oeil style.  The three-dimensional illusion is something to be compared with that of the churches in Vatican.  Most importantly, the gold-plated altar hosts a number of saint relics of course including St. John the Baptist.  But sad to say, it is not the original relic anymore because the former was stolen right before his feast in  the beginning of the 21st century. 

The wooden pillars along the sides are also intricately decorated.  In order to preserve them from termites, careful inspection and protection are made regularly.  Apart from this church, there are also centuries old ancestral houses in Jimenez so the town is worth the visit.

 

And never ignore the floor.  Once you step on it, you can experience stepping back in time as it is made of tisa tiles.  These are not just ordinary tiles.  These were handmade out from clay, the ones made from make-shift ovens in the olden days. At present, Father Mario Magcanam is the parish priest governing the church wherein baptism and weddings are frequently held.  Even engaged couples from other places go to the town of Jimenez just to get wed! Get yourself a Misamis Occidental tour guide make the most of your visit.  Head on to the List of Tourist Attractions in Misamis Occidental for more information.