Historic Church of Sta. Ana in Molo, Ilo-ilo

This marker shows that the National Historical Institute has proclaimed Sta. Ana Church in Molo Ilo-ilo as a historic site in 1992.

Marker reads:

Unang ipinagawang yari sa Tabque Pampango na may bubong na tisa. Pinalitan ng nipa ni P. Jose Ma. Sichon, 1863. Iniharap ang plano ng pagpapatayo ng simbahang bato, 1866; inaprobahan ni Obispo Mariano Cuartero, 1869 ang kasalukuyang simbahan na may arkitektura na istilong Gothic-Rennaisance ay ipinatayo agad makaraang aprobahan ang plano nito. Inialay sa karangalan ni Santa Ana. Ito ay nakilalang Simbahan ng mga kababaihan dahilan sa may16 na imahen ng mga santa, Dinalaw ni Dr. Jose Rizal dahilan sa mga Biblikong Pinta, 1896. Nagsilbing sentro ng ebakwasyon noong ikalawang digmaang pandaigdigan. Bahagyang nasira noong liberasyon. Inayos ni Rep.P. Manuel Alba sa tulong ng mga mananampalataya makaraan ang liberasyon.

It is good to visit historical sites like this. It is a great source of inspiration. The churches may be made of cold stone but for me, they are living testimonies of the burning faith of early Christians in our country. They could not have stood as they do today if early Christians did not help build these churches. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to the people especially to those who led them in order to make the construction of these churches a reality. 

Facade of Sta. Ana Church

Inside Sta. Ana Church 

Sta. Ana Church in Molo, Ilo-ilo is a very interesting Church. With 16 life-size statues of female saints, it was dubbed as the Church for women. Doubly interesting is the plaza found in front of the Church of Sta. Ana where you will find statues of Greek goddesses as though saying that out here are Greek goddesses while inside the church are Christian women saints. Well, you can have your own interpretation, but I would prefer the real motive why it was made so. Perhaps, if we can interview those in charge, they can enlighten us on this matter. For now, let us leave things that way. I cannot explain something that I do not know. We can make guesses but they will remain guesses.

Gazebo in the middle of the plaza