Bowling Alley Turned into Church: Santisima Trinidad Parish
Bowling alley turned into church, repository of religious art in Bulacan
By Levine Andro Lao
The Diocese of Malolos has inaugurated a past leisure destination—a bowling alley in front of a resort—as one of its parish churches in Bulacan, formally naming it as Santisima Trinidad, after the religious persona to whom the locals have been devoted to for more than a century now.
“This structure where we now have our church, as we know, had been a bowling alley. But it no longer looks as one,” said Bishop Jose Oliveros during the consecration of the church structure last June 15.
“It has ceased to be a place for leisure to become a place of sacred communion. This is because of the collaborative effort of the community and devotees of the Holy Trinity from other towns,” he added.
The symbolic consecration—highlighted by the blessing of pillars, walls, and altar with holy water and oil—was celebrated in the presence of the devotees, the clergy of the diocese, and guests Bishops Cirilo Almario and Deogracias Iñiguez.
Religious art
Indeed, Santisima Trinidad has no semblance of the bowling alley it had once been. Although the old framework, including the foundations, were retained, the structure now carries a fresh look, not typical to older churches in the provinces.
In front, a towering 30-foot stone sculpture of the Holy Trinity by local artist Danilo Ortega stands. The topmost image is a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, while on the left side is a portrayal of the Son and on the other side is God the Father. Beneath these images are the angels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Carved on the doors are stories of the Bible, rendered by long-time wood carver Antonio Magtoto. The panels are dedicated to the each persona of Santisima Trinidad, and to Mary. The last door, the jubilee door, meanwhile tells the story of the devotees.
Also, at the background of the altar, is a painting by artist Aris Bagtas, who has also worked on other religious art in other
By Levine Andro Lao
The Diocese of Malolos has inaugurated a past leisure destination—a bowling alley in front of a resort—as one of its parish churches in Bulacan, formally naming it as Santisima Trinidad, after the religious persona to whom the locals have been devoted to for more than a century now.
“This structure where we now have our church, as we know, had been a bowling alley. But it no longer looks as one,” said Bishop Jose Oliveros during the consecration of the church structure last June 15.
“It has ceased to be a place for leisure to become a place of sacred communion. This is because of the collaborative effort of the community and devotees of the Holy Trinity from other towns,” he added.
The symbolic consecration—highlighted by the blessing of pillars, walls, and altar with holy water and oil—was celebrated in the presence of the devotees, the clergy of the diocese, and guests Bishops Cirilo Almario and Deogracias Iñiguez.
Religious art
Indeed, Santisima Trinidad has no semblance of the bowling alley it had once been. Although the old framework, including the foundations, were retained, the structure now carries a fresh look, not typical to older churches in the provinces.
In front, a towering 30-foot stone sculpture of the Holy Trinity by local artist Danilo Ortega stands. The topmost image is a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, while on the left side is a portrayal of the Son and on the other side is God the Father. Beneath these images are the angels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Carved on the doors are stories of the Bible, rendered by long-time wood carver Antonio Magtoto. The panels are dedicated to the each persona of Santisima Trinidad, and to Mary. The last door, the jubilee door, meanwhile tells the story of the devotees.
Also, at the background of the altar, is a painting by artist Aris Bagtas, who has also worked on other religious art in other