Santiago Apostol Church

Santiago Apostol Church is a Catholic parish church in Plaridel featuring baroque architectural style. Its structure includes a five-level bell tower and a carefully crafted facade of stone and brick with ornamental details typical of the period.

Construction of this church began in the early 1600s and took about 15 years to complete. Father Diego Pardo served as the first official parish priest, establishing the congregation during a foundational period for the settlement.

The church serves as the spiritual center of Plaridel and reflects the deep Catholic roots of the community. It functions as a gathering place for important religious ceremonies and local celebrations that shape how residents experience their faith.

The church is accessible to visitors and continues to serve as an active place of worship with regular services to attend. Guests can walk through and observe the architectural elements and religious objects while being mindful of ongoing spiritual activities.

During the British occupation of Manila in the 1760s, this church served as a refuge for valuable treasures from another major church in the capital. This episode reveals how the building played a protective role amid the colonial upheavals of that era.