Program Year: 2014
Grantee: National Museum of the Philippines
Grant Amount: US$300,000
Awarding Agency: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (under the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Program)
Project Summary: The Project aims to conduct a partial restoration the church, which was severely damaged during Super Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. Known for its coral construction and unique seashell interior decoration, the church is one of few in the Philippines to retain a high degree of architectural integrity, as well as its original retables and other furnishings. The original scope of work included feasibility and engineering studies as well as emergency stabilization measures to halt the deterioration of the coral masonry walls/interiors of both the church and the adjacent bell tower. In early 2016, the scope of work was amended, and activities were made to focus instead on the restoration and conservation of movable heritage such as ecclesiastical objects, ethnographic art, archeological artifacts, main and side altars, and ceiling paintings, among others.
Citation: The La Inmaculada Concepcion Church is listed as a National Cultural Treasure in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties.
Status: Ongoing (extended up to June 2018)