Foundation

Talisay, formerly an estate of the Augustinians, is mentioned as early as 1648 in the L:ibro de Gobierno as part of the San Nicolas Church. It was separated from San Nicolas by Royal Decree of August 16, 1836 under the advocation of Santa Teresa de Jesus de Avila, with Fr. Juan Soriano as parish priest.

Construction of the Church

Fr. Juan Soriano constructed the first buildings in1836. By 1848, the church was already finished. The typhoon of November 25, 1877 pulled down the roof of the church. Another one of masonry was constructed in 1880, with the main nave covered with galvanized iron which was already in use. It had, also, two small towers and a porch in front. Only a part of the presbytery and the dome need to be covered. Fr. Carlos Mielgo, the succeeding parish priest, continued the construction in 1877. Frs. Gregorio Ros and Antonio Manglano (1881) finished the construction. Fr. Miguel del Burgo decorated the interior in 1894.

Style of the Church

The church is of Graeco-Roman structure. The massive twin bell towers give the church an imposing look because of their large beams on the pediment and on the main entrance. The faįade of the church has its pediment framed by heavily-drawn embellishments while its center is decorated by a symbol of the divinity in the form of a triangular eye. Heavily built rectangular columns guard the main entrance with a railing opening to a terrace on the top.