Mandurriao Church

Mandurriao Church
Espousal of Our Lady Parish Church
Simbahan ng Mandurriao (Filipino)
Mandurriao Church Location in the Visayas Mandurriao Church Location in the Philippines
10°43′3.576″N 122°32′10.5288″E
Location	Mandurriao, Iloilo City
Country	Philippines
Language(s)	Hiligaynon, English
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	1921 (1921)
Consecrated	February 21, 1998 (February 21, 1998)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Style	Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	1991 (1991) (reconstruction)
Completed	2000 (2000) (current building)
Specifications
Other dimensions	Façade facing southeast
Number of towers	2
Materials	Stone, Concrete
Administration
Archdiocese	Jaro
Parish	Espousal of Our Lady

Espousal of Our Lady Parish Church, commonly known as Mandurriao Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in the district of Mandurriao in Iloilo City, Philippines.

History

Mandurriao Church was established as a visita under the Augustinian friars during the Spanish period in the 17th century. In 1768, it was handed over to the Jesuits, then later to the Dominicans, before being returned to the Augustinians. In 1921, Mandurriao became an independent parish. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, the colonial-era church, cemetery, and other structures were destroyed.

Following the war, a modest house of worship was built, and reconstruction efforts culminated in the church’s dedication in 1959. By 1985, plans for a new church emerged. Construction began in 1991, based on a design by Engr. Timoteo Jusayan, which was later modified by Engr. Ermelo Porras and Architect Rolando Siendo. The church was inaugurated on February 21, 1998, and its construction was completed two years later in 2000.

Architecture

The Mandurriao Church features a churchyard with a footpath leading to the portico, which is flanked by semicircular gardens. The gardens house the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the gospel side and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the epistle side.

The church’s façade has a brick-tile surface, with a balustrade dividing the portico (which has an archway) from the pediment, which is punctured by an arch window. The façade is flanked by two bell towers, each with a base pierced by round and arch openings. The upper floors of the towers feature arch punctures, and the towers are capped with pyramidal roofs, adding to the church's classic architectural appeal.