File:Nuestra Señora de la Luz Church in Loon Bohol, Philippines.jpg

• Loon, Bohol, Philippines
• image source: http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/tourism_news/images/Nuestra-Senora-de-la-Luz-Church.jpg

The church in Loon, built by the Augustinian Recollects in 1853, is considered the most beautiful of the 19th century churches in Bohol. It was designed by Domingo Escondrillas, a government employee, and is made of finely cut coral. The convent, built at the same time as the church is now a school. The church’s long flight of 174 stone steps believed to be the longest step stairway in the country reminiscent of Spanish forced labor.

This church is also known today as The Church of our Lady of Light. This church is not on known as the most beautiful church that been built in the 19th century but also he biggest. The spot where this church stand was once a chapel which was constructed in 1753 during the term of Fray Manuel de Elizalde. After fifty years, the chapel was replace by this beautiful church with an Ionic and Corinthian style. The Nuestra Señora de la Luz Church has two octagon bell towers which is symmetric.

The Nuestra Señora de la Luz Church has awesome heritage features and design. It has as facade in the central portion of the church. The facade surges where it gives a dynamic beauty that is more akin to Baroque than the Neoclassical style. The capital twined columns of the facade are delicately decorated with carved acanthus. There are also plaques between the twined columns which are incised with Biblical texts and dedicatory phrases. The church has an amazing Neoclassic main altar.