Get DirectionsBuilt over the course of 53 years, from 1830 to 1883, St. John the Baptist Church is the product of the hard labor and love of the locals of Bato town in Catanduanes. Also known as Bato Church, this structure made of mortar and coral stones has withstood many historical upheavals, such as World War II. The church’s tower is home to a bell that once served as an alarm against invading Japanese forces.
Dedicated to namesake Saint John the Baptist, the church is a beacon of penance for the parish, which has produced a record number of priests and others of religious stock for the province. Bato Church stands today as an architectural treasure in the town. The oldest church in the province, it is now under the care of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, which has bestowed in May 2022 a Historical Marker which can be found in front of the church.AddressLibod Poblacion, Bato, CatanduanesContact DetailsMobile: Catanduanes Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office +63 919 999 0872Email: [email protected]Operational HoursDaytimeBest time to visitSeptember as it celebrates the Feast of San Lorenzo RuizHow to get thereTake a Bato-bound jeepney or public van from Virac town proper of Virac Bus Terminal. Inform the driver or conductor that you want to Bato Church so they can drop you off at the nearest point. You can also take a pricate vehicle, rent a car, or hire a ‘tricycle’ (a motorized three-wheeled vehicle) or a motorcycle to Bato. Bato Church is situated in the town proper of Bato, making it relatively easy to find. You can ask locals for directions, or if you have a GPS or navigation apps, you can input ‘Bato Church’ as your destination to navigate to the church.Things to-doTake photos, partake in a religious ceremony