This photograph of Molo Church, taken by Felix Laureano, appeared in Ilustracion Artistica in 1897 in Barcelona, Spain.
Known as St. Anne Parish Church, the Gothic-Renaissance church of Molo was built in 1831 with coral rock under the supervision of Jose Manuel Locsin. It has five retablos and stained glass windows. It gained the name of the Women’s Lib church and a “feminist church” from the 16 female saints lining the nave. Its two belfies were rebuilt after being destroyed during the 1945 war bombings.
It is said that Dr. Jose Rizal, on his way back to Manila from his exile in Dapitan, passed by the church. In 1992, it was declared a national landmark by the National Historical Institute.
Molo is one of the seven districts of Iloilo City historically known as “Parian” or Chinatown of Iloilo where many Chinese residents used to live.
Molo is referred to as the “Athens of the Philippines” due to its association with Filipino intellectuals and political leaders. The district has produced numerous senators, justices, governors, generals, congressmen, and cabinet officials throughout history.
Pancit molo, the famed dumpling soup, also originated from the Molo district.
Source: Ilustracion Artistica
Reference: National Museum Western Visayas
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