St Thomas Aquinas Parish In Sto Tomas Batangas
We had our own itinerary and we decided to enter Batangas through Sto Tomas and will exit at Nasugbu since we are also hoping to visit the famous Calaruega yet it didn’t happen because we run out of time. The first church on our list is the St Thomas Aquinas Parish. I didn’t get much details about the church’s history but based on the general structure, this church is seemingly new compare to other churches in Batangas. 
As you enter the church’s premise you will be welcomed by this huge pond that also holds a huge bell.
Interestingly, this is an old cracked bell of the church which is probably casted on 1894 as written/engraved on the bell itself. This made me realized that St Thomas Aquinas Parish is indeed an old church and probably underwent extensive renovation. 
The church’s nave and main altar.
A very detailed retablo 
Beside the church and underneath the bell tower lies an adoration chapel.
You’ll also notice different statues outside depicting different images of saints. 
Statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz , the first Filipino saint
Statue of San Pedro Calungson, another Filipino Saint. 
Saint Francis of Asisi.
Votive Candle rack. The candles come in many colors and each for different petition. Red candles for example is for Love ( I took a bunch of them LOL.. just kidding) 
The prayer for the lighting of the candle
Outside the church, you’ll also notice a marker which is built to pay tribute to the 15 missionary sisters who were killed during the heavy artillery barrage in Sto Tomas (during World War 2) 
The name of the fifteen missionary sisters. As you can see most of the missionaries are from Germany and only one of them is a Filipina.
I personally like the facade of the church. It has a very unique design and I love the image of the Holy Spirit on top.
Next Post: The National Shrine of Padre Pio
It is like being in History class again but in a more interesting manner: short, concise and accompanied by photos. I’m learning a lot in here.
thanks Jonathan
it’s better to have your own itinerary that suits your own pace and to see what you really want to see huh?? but too bad you ran out of time else you will also visit the Calaruega..
the St Thomas Aquinas Parish look nice.. but what raised my eyebrows was the second photo.. it’s almost plain from the outside but once you entered you are greeted by the colorful pond, nice!! and of course the inside is also beautiful with the different statues of the saints.. I especially like the colorful candles, so you took a lot of the RED candles and brought them home?? hahaha.. xD
thanks SK
Nice and interesting photos……
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I noticed you never reply comments so I better not ask questions again.
Mabuhay!
ahaha sorry TM… for some reason my browser keep on crashing whenever I reply to comments.. i might look for a nice comment system for my blog soon…
I do read your comments though ^_^ sorry again
Interesting church bell. If it can tell you its history sure will need whole day. Look so old .
LOL…funny joke on the red candles. You sure you needed them? Nah…I dont think so,
Thought in God’s eyes we are of the same color…hmmm….guess the colorful candles for different wishes is created by human. Not that it’s not good. It makes the place seems happier.
that’s so true small kucing.. i think the colors were just used to symbolize the petition but regardless of what candles you offer.. again, this is not God’s basis right? thanks ^_^
🙂
Though I’m not a Christian, I’ve always love being in a church and appreciating their beauty.
thanks Merryn
This is an interesting church. Sana mapuntahan ko din.
I am not a Christian, but I can feel peace whenever I am inside a Church
It is nice to say prayers to the God. It calms us immediately after prayers are made.
Ang ganda ng altar. And the colorful candles is like an art. 🙂