Pakil
The church of Pakil is one of the best preserved in Laguna. Built in 1684, it stands as a fine example of colonial baroque architecture. The church’s curlicue stonework and cherubs on the facade is enough to fascinate us. It was the Franciscan Father Pedro Bautista (later became a saint) who designated a place for the church and plaza in Pakil. In 1602, Pakil became a visita of Paete. Tradition has it that when the people of Pakil had to hear mass in Paete, they had to carry some stones to help build the church of Paete. On May 12, 1676, Pakil was separated from Paete. It was Padre Francisco Barajas who helped established the first church under the patronage of San Pedro de Alcantara.
Paete
Paete Church (also known as St. James the Apostle Church) is located in Paete, Laguna. St. James the Apostle is the patron of this church built in a town famous for its woodcarvers.
In 1580, Juan de Palesencia, a Franciscan friar built a friary in Paete. Its stone church and its convent were built in 1846. In 1717, Rev. Francisco de la Fuente led the construction of a stronger church, which was later destroyed by the earthquake of 1880. The church was reconstructed in 1884 by Rev. Pedro Galiano which was filled with century-old paintings and woorden statuaries. It was destroyed by an earthquake on 20 August 1937 and has since been rebuilt.
Paete Church blends a distinctly local style with Western baroque style. All the religious images were carved and/or painted by the residents of Paete long ago. It was completed in the early Spanish period, with a magnificent baroque altar, intricately carved images and 19th century murals by local artist Jose Dans. Although the church has been recently renovated, and the construction materials are not like the original, the designs remain mainly the same. The church is symmetrically organized and compact, with apertures limited to the entrance, choir loft windows, and the circular pediment windows. The ornamentation consists of floral bas-reliefs and acanthus leaves. A relief of Saint James treading on the bodies of dead pagans provide a focus which braids the floral ornamentation together. The triangular pediment has a trim of small ornamental volutes. The bell tower has arched windows and these peek out of the bell tower, rising in tapering tiers. A balustrade is carved on the windows around each level, topped by an octagonal belfry with small, slanting buttresses. Each side features a companile window and the bell tower cornice is a decorative terracotta screen.
Mabitac
The Fanciscan Missionaries established this town in 1611 and the first chapel in 1618, under the supervision of Fray Miguel de Talavera,OFM. Due to flooding, the faithful constructed a bigger stone church on top of the hill called Calvario but partly damaged by an earthquake in 1880. From its vantage point commands a panoramic view of the whole municipality and Laguna Lake. The original 90 concrete stairways was renovated to 126 that leads up to the portals of the church.
Pila
The Franciscan Friars led by Fray Juan de Florencia and Fray Diego de Oropeza, OFM ministered this town in 1578. They built the stone church and convent originally at Pagalangan (now Victoria), and completed in 1618. Severe flood from Laguna Lake perennially submerged the streets and Agricultural lands. The populace moved out and eventually the church was dismantled and relocated stone by stone to Pila and was completed in 1803.
