On my own, I made a short visit to Loboc’s Church of St. Peter the Apostle, listed by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure. Built in 1602 by Fr. de Torres, it is the second oldest church in Bohol. The present church was built in 1734.
 |
| Church of St. Peter the Apostle |
Inside are remarkable nave paintings done (from May 1926 to July 1927) on the walls and ceiling by three artists (Canuto Avila and son Ricardo, Ray Francia), the biggest number of murals on religious subjects. The ceiling was retouched in 1995 by Cris Naparota. It also has a Neo-Gothic pulpit with a late 19th century sounding board (portavoz) and 5 retablos between the transept and sacristy.
 |
| Bell Tower |
Outside the church, near the riverbank, is the separate 21-m. high, 4-storey octagonal stone bell tower, built after 1768. It has 7 bells, the oldest dated 1863 and 2 others dated 1914 and 1937. The tower also has a large wooden matraca (a cranked noisemaker) dated 1899 and a clock from Altonaga Co., acquired through public subscription and installed in 1893. The bell tower was almost destroyed during the construction of the unfinished Loay Bridge, a folly of the Marcos era which was supposed to be part of an elevated expressway just across the road. Timely objection by the Lobocanons prevented its destruction. The project was discontinued.