Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay

Caysasay Shrine
Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay
Facade of the church dedicated to Our Lady of Caysasay
Caysasay Shrine Location in the Philippines
13°52′50.0″N 120°55′29.4″E / 13.880556°N 120.924833°E / 13.880556; 120.924833Coordinates: 13°52′50.0″N 120°55′29.4″E / 13.880556°N 120.924833°E / 13.880556; 120.924833
Location	Taal, Batangas
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Dedication	Immaculate Conception
Architecture
Status	Archdiocesan Shrine
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Groundbreaking	1639
Completed	1640
Specifications
Length	50 metres (160 ft)
Width	10 metres (33 ft)
Materials	Coral, bricks and wood
Administration
Archdiocese	Lipa
Clergy
Archbishop	Gilbert Garcera
Priest in charge	Jose Ma. Loyola Cumagun

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay is a coral-hewn chapel in Barrio Caysasay in Taal, Batangas belonging to the Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines. It was built in 1639 by Fr. Alonso Rodriguez to replace a temporary structure built in 1611. The church is home to Our Lady of Caysasay whose feast day is celebrated every December 8.

The church was first built around 1611 by the Chinese and was made of light materials. This shrine was located near the river where image was usually found, An arch made of coral stone with a bass relief of the Virgin of Caysasay was built later on. On February 24, 1620, Augustinians issued an order to construct a church in Caysasay, as a visita of Taal. It has been verified through serious investigation that the Most Holy Virgin has appeared there and that it be given with the title Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia.

In 1639, a new church made out of coral stone was built under the direction of Fr. Alonso Rodriguez, minister of Taal. The church was to serve as the perpetual shrine of the Virgin and to replace the temporary structure set up in 1611. The Sanctuary measures 50 metres (160 ft) long and 10 metres (33 ft) wide. Behind the main altar lies the sacristy and a stairwell that leads to the room of the Virgin where devotees could venerate. Adjacent to the church is a convent made of hew stone said to have been built also by Chinese workers. The roof of the church was partly destroyed in 1754 by the boulders and ashes from the Taal Volcano was quickly repaired and serve as the temporary church of Taal, while the latter was under repair.

During the earthquake of December 24, 1852, the walls of the church cracked and the towers fell. Fr. Celestino Mayordomo improvised a large makeshift shelter at the town plaza where the image of the Virgin of Caysasay was enshrined temporarily. Fr, Mayordomo also started the reconstruction work which was completed in 1856. The twin towers rose again, the interior was newly painted and the stone fence was completed. The image was again solemnly enthroned in her home Sanctuary.