St. Anne Parish

Santa Ana Parish Church, commonly known as Molo Church or St. Anne Parish, is a historic Spanish neo-Gothic Catholic church located in the Molo district of Iloilo City, under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Jaro. One of the most distinctive features of Molo Iloilo Church is its collection of female saint statues, including Saint Anne, the patron saint of Molo, earning it the nickname "the women's church" or "the feminist church." Its history dates back to 1831, when the original structure was built using tabique pampango and a chalk roof, before plans for a more permanent concrete church were developed in 1866 and completed in 1888. On August 4, 1886, Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal visited the church to see its biblical paintings, which are no longer present today. During World War II, the church served as an evacuation center for civilians but suffered damage, including the destruction of one of its towers. In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, Molo Church was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 1992. Today, the parish continues to welcome Catholics and visitors who wish to attend Mass, offer prayers, and appreciate one of Iloilo City's most recognizable heritage churches.