In 1717 , Baclayon was elevated as a parish . The present stone church constructed under the Jesuits was finished in 1727 . When the Jesuits were expelled in the country in 1768 , the Augustinian Recollects immediately succeeded them in the late part of the same year in administering the spiritual needs of the people of Baclayon . Renovations on the church was done during the administration of Father Pedro de la Encarnación , OAR ( 1839 – 1854 ) , Father Antonio Úbeda , OAR ( 1856 – 1859 , 1861 – 1868 ) and Father José María Cabañas , OAR ( 1870 – 1898 ) . The church was saved from destruction that might be brought by American soldiers in exchange for food and water in 1901 . During the Second World War , the church suffered damages but was later restored . From being part of Baclayon , Balilihan , Alburquerque , Corella and Sikatuna became independent parishes in 1829 , 1869 , 1884 and 1914 respectively . Although it survived damages and was eventually restored , the church of Baclayon was heavily damaged when an earthquake struck Bohol on October 15 , 2013
earthquake
2013 Bohol earthquake
Baclayon Church