The recently restored Gimbal Church, built more than two and a half centuries ago made of yellow raw brick and coral, is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It has always attracted the locals and in recent years has become a major tourist attraction in the province of Iloilo and the entire Western Visayas region.
The church building was built in 1774 under the direction of a Spanish Father Campos, a Spanish priest. Most of the churches in the province of Iloilo are erected in the Neoclassical style, while the Gimbal Church is a typical example of Baroque architecture. The builders of the church emphasised on the quality of their creation rather than the its size. It is worth noting that despite the fact that the overall style of the Gimbal Church - is, as mentioned above, baroque, it has elements of other styles. For example, the pillars and round socket windows have a somewhat oriental appearance, and the columns are definitely Corinthian. The spires at the top of the church bring to mind associations with Moorish temples, while the fleuron turrets are similar to the to those in other Iloilo churches. The original bell tower has been replaced by a new one, and, unlike other later additions, it blends in well with the style of the church. Throughout its history, the Gimbal Church has undergone numerous restoration and renovation work, but the inner core has remained unchanged - a testament to the strength of the structure.
To get to Gimbal Church, located in the village of the same name, you can from Iloilo town, a journey of about half an hour. This amazing church once attracted a lot of attention used to attract attention when its belfries rang with alarm bells. Today it attracts with its history and beauty.
