St Peter and Paul parish History Ormoc City Leyte

Established in 1630 by the Jesuits and built through the Spanish colonial system of forced labor and conscription of the locals, the church building used to be a massive baroque structure  made of stone blocks. The layout was in the shape of a cross, with the top of the cross being the part that had the altar and sacristy. The middle section had a dome for a ceiling, painted with religious figures and icons, but the roof had a square base. Under the roof was a catwalk that was accessible to whoever was brave enough to explore the area.

 

The frontage was sparse in its ornamentation, and its door was made of unadorned thick hard wood that had an iron bolt. But on each side was a gargoylelike figure that guarded the entrance, carved from stone. Above the door just below the roof were three stone cherubs. To the left side of the entrance was the belfry. The windows had stained glass of different colors. Church benches were donated by Ormocanon families, in diverse designs, their names carved into each bench.

 

To the right of the entrance was the rectory that housed the priests. It was made of wood and roofed with nipa at the turn of the 20th century until the outbreak of the war. A circular stone structure served as the kitchen. This is now where the grotto stands. At its side was a well that provided safe drinking water. It also served as the starting point to measure distance as Km “0”.


In November 1944, the Americans rained bombs on the city, hitting the church and surrounding structures, apparently mistaking it for the Japanese hospital. What remained of the beautiful stone church was the front where the altar was located. Precious church documents that detailed the births, marriages, and deaths of Ormocanons likewise perished.

 

The priests assigned here after the war took it upon themselves to rebuild the church and the rectory, year after year, initiating fundraising activities locally and soliciting from other external sources. Since then, the church always seemed to be a work in progress as each new parish priest introduced improvements.

Despite this, the parish celebrates its feast day with a Joyous fiesta every June 29.

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