Another Philippine Catholic Gem: St. Peter of Alcantara

St. Peter of Alcantara Church

St. Peter of Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna took 35 years of construction and was finished in 1767. The Virgin of Turumba is enshrined in this church. The structure remains the same despite requiring several repairs and renovations for damages caused by various natural calamities.
St. Peter of Alcantara Church has a Baroque facade. The icons of 14 biblical charaters are seen on the main altar. It also features the painting of St. Francis of Assisi experiencing stigmata and St. Peter of Alcantara receiving host.

The facade features delicate and florid appliques—cherub heads, saints' medallions, and ornamental frames for the windows and saints' niches. The main portal is defined by a decorative arch with a prominent keystone, which is echoed in the choir loft window which bears the carved seal of the Franciscan order at its tympanum.

The patron saint's niche at the pediment prominently displays the florid decoration of the whole facade and the high relief pilasters, as though these dramatic elements are concentrated there. The raking cornice is raked with an alternating stream of plain moldings and carved embellishments.

 Finials cap the side columns of the front facade.

The facade is vertically divided by high relief pilasters and columns, a continuous stream of cornices and horizontal moldings balance the vertical tendencies of the pilasters and columns.
The church's bell tower is attached to the main structure, formed by three tapering tiers, equally festooned with decorations as the rest of the church.

Virgen Dolores de Turumba is enshrined in the Church and commemorated in the yearly Turumba Festival

In the nearby town of Paete, Laguna, wood carvers create beautiful images and relics of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, Holy Family, angels, and of different saints