Exploring the rich heritage of churches in Dumaguete City, Sibulan, Bacong, and Dauin offers a captivating journey through history, culture, and architecture

Dumaguete Cathedral (Saint Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Parish)

Located in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines, Dumaguete Cathedral is the oldest stone church on the island, completed in 1776​​. The parish was established in 1620, covering southeastern Negros and Siquijor. 

The stone church construction occurred from 1754 to 1776, under the leadership of Fr. Jose Fernandez de Septien, who also built four watchtowers for defense against Moros​​. The church went through several renovations and additions, including a transept, annex, and the installation of a bell tower. In 1898, the church became a cathedral when its eponymous diocese was founded​​.

San Agustin Church (Bacong)

Located in the small coastal town of Bacong, neighboring Dumaguete City, this church is a testament to the region's rich history and the bravery of its people​​. 

The church features the oldest altar in the region, adorned with gold leaves and painted friezes, and it has the tallest belfry in Negros Oriental, serving as a lookout against Moro pirates​​. 

It houses one of the few remaining pipe organs in the Philippines, installed in 1894, and was declared a national cultural treasure in 1972​​​​.

St. Nicolas of Tolentino Church (Dauin)

Recognized as the oldest church in the province, it was built by the Augustinian Recollect Fr. Joseph Nepomuceno Pavez. Its altar and facade were constructed by Julio Sadina, with the facade's lower level forming a base for the bell tower​​​​.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish (Sibulan)

Founded in 1838, the original wooden church was built by Fr. Mateo Saplad but burned down in 1854. The replacement construction spanned nearly 30 years, starting in the 1860s and completing just before the Philippine revolution. However, this structure was destroyed during World War II​​.

The present-day church, completed in 1953, features a Romanesque-style structure with an arched entryway, rose window, and niches bearing religious imagery. It honors the feast day of San Antonio de Padua every June 13​​.