Tumauini Church, Colonial parish church in Tumauini, Philippines
Tumauini Church is a red brick parish building in the town of Tumauini in the Philippines, built in colonial baroque style. The round bell tower stands separately beside the main structure and differs from the usual square towers found across the region.
The Dominicans began construction in 1783 and brought specialized craftsmen from Pampanga province to Tumauini. Work was completed in 1805, creating one of the most distinctive examples of colonial church architecture in northern Philippines.
The building takes its name from the local plaza dedicated to Saint Matthias and remains the central place of worship where the community gathers every Sunday. Traditional Easter processions start from the main entrance and wind through the surrounding streets, bringing together the entire neighborhood.
The building sits in the center of town and is open daily for visitors, with the main Mass held on Sunday morning. Guided visits can be arranged through the parish office located on the left side of the courtyard.
The cylindrical shape of the bell tower is the only one of its kind in all of the Philippines from the Spanish colonial period. Inside the walls, original wooden beams and fittings from the early 19th century remain intact.
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