Our country is defined by the power of our religion. We give importance to our churches and value their part in the rich history of our country.

Panay Islands of Visayas is known for its vast number of old basilicas and churches. Some are completely damaged and ruined by time but some are still serving as a house of prayer. In the province of Antique down to the municipality of Anini-y, there stands a beautiful structure which is the only surviving Spanish colonial church in the province.

Anini-y church or the Parish of St. John of Nepomuceno is the only preserved church in the Antique, originally built by the Augustinians Friars. The church is generally made of corals and stones collected in the immediate area. Its first structure is 33m x 13m and was built around 1630-1638. Close to the original church, the present coral structure on the other hand is 48m x 12.5m and was built in 1845.  In 1879, Fr. Jeronimo V. Aquerin completed the present complex.

In 1902, the church was abandoned and occupied by the Aglipayans for about 4 years. In 1906, the Mill Hill Fathers, a religion congregation from England arrived and took the responsibility of the church. One of the Mill Hill Fathers, Fr. William Erickweld gave his efforts in preserving the ruins of the convent due to the war while building a new one beside it. He led the restoration of the church when it was severely damaged by a typhoon and the aftermath brought about by  the Second World War in 1973.

It is a massive white coral baroque style church which is dedicated to San Juan Nepomucemo. It is a single rectangular level and a triangular pediment with a niche in the center, flanked by two rose-windows and ending upon finials. A breathtaking façade of the church is composed of two central pilasters divided into three equal sections. Rosette edges the upper part of the main entrance; the same pattern adorned the other openings and niches of the façade and side walls. Two stained niches are found on the main entrance and are topped by two identical rose windows.

There is a Baptistery a little closer to the back of the church. It contains a beautifully carved crucifix lovingly done by the Mill Hill Fathers. Unlike many other churches, it is a refreshing one because it is not encumbered with a lots of statues; there are only five or six beautiful statues including the St John of Nepumuceno, the patron saint of the parish, a statue of St Theresa (I believe), and finally the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Edifice of Anini-y Church

Trivia

It is said back in days that the power of church is defined by the range of the bells. Annexed to the Anini-y Church is a three-story hexagonal bell tower standing at the left of the church. It has one arched window on each level and is roofed with a rounded dome surmounted with a cross. Many folks believe that as long as you hear the church bells you are under its authority. It is the reason why most churches are standing in the middle of the town. The closer you are to the church, the more powerful your family is.

The National Museum of the Philippines named the Anini-y Church a National Historical Treasure. Until now, many organizations are raising funds for more restoration and re-establishment work that is projected for the church and its adjacent buildings in the coming months.