After an exhilarating yet fulfilling mountain climbing adventure we had last weekend on the slippery trails and breathtaking peak of Mt. Kapayas of Catmon, my trekking buddies and I decided to take a leisurely stroll in one of the oldest churches in Cebu which is located at the heart of Catmon, the San Guillermo Church.
My body was still tingling with the energy from our climb, and my emotions on the mountain continued to envelop me, even though we already descended. I honestly wasn't ready to return home just yet. Hehe. I wanted to relax first and calm my mind and body from our wonderful and adventurous climb.
So we decided to take a stroll and see the "almost 200-year-old" church of Catmon that was built during the 1800's. The local guide/driver mentioned the town's ancient church as one of their tourist attractions during our transport going to the drop-off area. And since we were there already, we wouldn't want to miss the chance to see its beauty that stood over time!
The San Guillermo Church - Built during the 1800s!
After claiming our Certificates of Conquering Mt. Kapayas in the Municipal Hall of Catmon, we decided to take a stroll first to the Oldest Church of the town before going to our respective homes. Thankfully, the old church is just a few meters away from the Hall.
The old church is perched on top of the hill offering a breathtaking view of the town below. Bubbling with excitement, we slowly walked uphill to finally see the historic church. I only knew that day (from our local guide) that the ancient church is one of the oldest churches in Cebu and it was also made of stones like that of the Old Sto. Nino Church in Cebu City.
The Church's Timeless Charm
As we approached the ancient Church, I was amazed by its beautiful structure. Its body is made of weathered stone which exudes a unique structure and aura. Its age is evident by the color of the stones and the plants growing on the wall.
Looking at the facade of the church that is worn by the passage of time, I was imagining how many celebrations were held there and the stories that the church carried that spanned generations.
I walked around and I could feel the serenity and the quietness of the whole place. The church has settled gracefully into its role as a steadfast sentinel of the town.
I examined the church closely and was even more amazed at its, structure and design. It has a three-story belfry which according to our guide, the belfry was damaged due to its old age, but the church didn't want to replace it because of its history and value.
The giant wooden doors are also unique with their rope curtains. Hehe. I wonder if the ropes are designed to be there or if they were there for a purpose.
The windows on the left side of the church are made of stained glass depicting religious events, however, the windows on the right side are sealed with solid stones.
The atmosphere around was filled with tranquility and history, inviting us to step into its interior. I was curious and very eager to see its old interior, unfortunately, the church was closed at that time. All I could do was imagine the scent of old stones and incense inside the church, the coolness of the church's interior while the sunlight streamed in through the stained glass windows.
I am pretty sure that inside the church is a serene ambiance that encourages reflection and tranquility.
Cool down and Relax.
We found ourselves in the mini playground in the church and settled in for a moment of rest. We marveled at the beauty of the church allowing the peace of it to wash over us. Time seemed to slow down, and we could feel the weight of our recent adventure dissipate with each passing minute. I felt that my body temperature was cooling down and that my body was also relaxed.
The people of Catmon are so blessed to have one of the oldest churches in the province of Cebu which is surely rich in history. It was as if the church itself was a living testament to the resilience of the community that had maintained it for generations.
Time to go Home.
After a while, we regained our energy and decided it was time to continue our journey. It's time to go home. We left the church with a sense of calm and contentment. Our adventure that day in the town of Catmon which transitioned from the lush green mountains of Mt. Kapayas to the old-world charm of the church had been a delightful surprise.
It was a simple yet memorable and relaxing experience.
That's it for our relaxing walk for today around Catmon Oldest church. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. I wish you all safe and well always.
Don't forget to smile often!🤗😍😊
