Beautiful Town Panay Capiz

Santa Monica Parish of Pan-ay was established in 1580. Its first curate was Fray Bartolome de Alcantara. The Pan-ay Church was probably constructed in 1692. It was reconstructed in 1774 and 1884 after being damaged repeatedly by a series of natural calamities.

This big church is made of finely cut coral stones, shallow,paired pilasters,arched entrance, rose window and pediment lends a pleasantly familiar appearance to the otherwise imposing facade common among most churches.

The building follows the Filipino baroque style with thoughtful classic influences. Shallow paired pilasters with narrow grooves in between divide the facade into rectangular sections, symmetrical and well balanced. The main entrance has a simple semi-circular arch flanked by two small-statued niches. This is topped by a rectangular carving portraying the Augustinians emblem. The second level has an ornate niche and a rose window above it complemented by a relief sculpture at the center of the pediment. The dark open spaces of the entrance and the windows create a closer relationship between light and shadow. Its sharp, projecting architrave and the curvilinear undulation of the pediment counter point the vertical movement of pilasters. Pineapple-shaped finials - colonial symbol of hospitality on the topmost part of the pediment wall, add to the local appeal of the Church. A string of flowers, saints in niches,foliage fills empty spaces. The thick walls are of coral blocks and the flooring of marble and Spanish red tiles. The first story observes neo classical orientations and the second breaks loose from the conventional adopting the fancy and freedom of the Baroque.

The Panay Church is 70 meters wide and 18 meters high. The walls are three meters thick; the floor is covered with marbles. The structure is shaped in the form of a Latin cross with one large altar and four lateral ones, each one fitted with gorgeously decorated and gilded retablos of hardwood. decorated with various polychomed statues of a very high artistic quality. Artisans from Manila fashioned the Baroque decorations, set in the main altar The facade of the church is decorated by pillars and horizontal edges with niches of life sized statues of the Augustinians saints.

The scale and proportion of The Church the spacious interior, the clarity with which volumes and spatial masses are organized and the well-preserved texture and color of the natural stone materials invest it with dignity and certain elegance.

Pan-ay Church has three towering altars displaying antique images. The altar Frontals are made of hard wood delicately engraved and Sculptured with ornamental designs. Wood and ivory images, old chalice, monsrance,chasubles sewn with gold thread, precious stones and silver plates are among the priceless treasures of the Parish.