Chapel of Cartwheels

When I received my final assignment on Visita Iglesia for Negros, I didn’t hesitate to include Chapel of Cartwheels. I love heritage churches and most of my collections are about these structures. I just feel lucky that I reside in a place where there are many colonial churches to visit for the benefit of my freelance writing career.

But Chapel of Cartwheels is no heritage church. Rather it is a symbol of humility and giving importance to those people working for you. Built by one of the descedants of a wealthy haciendero ( landowner), this chapel is unique and full of love.

It is located in Hacienda Rosalia and lies at the back of the Gaston ancestral house. This house is smaller compared to other old houses I have seen here in Iloilo but it is still very elegant and perfect for a loving family.

Instead of the usual materials, this house of worship uses farm implements. Very creative. I think this will win in case there are competitions for this sort of thing.

A place of worship where believers can connect because it celebrates their way of life.

It is really small but very quaint. I appreciate how wealthy landowners reaches out to their laborers. Calling people to come closer to God and commune as a family. This chapel symbolizes that the Church ( and God ) is for everyone and it is built for them – those who shed sweat to their lands. Heartwarming. For those into designs and style, you will be impressed on how farm tools are repurposed.

Going there:

From Bacolod, take a bus or jeepney bound for Cadiz, Sagay or Escalante. It is best to inform the driver or dispatcher beforehand where your heading. You will drop off before Manapla proper. Watch out for this sign on the left side of the road.

You can take a tricycle directly to the chapel or just walk. Follow the coconut-lined road and you will meet a small intersection, go left. Walk straight until you see the Gaston ancestral house. Keep walking ( we had some bloopers, we entered the property which is supposedly private..booo!!!  but they were nice, took some photos too! haha), the chapel is actually at the end of the road.

PS. Last March, one of my photos was used by a local newspaper without my permission. So from then on, I will post photos that include me or people so those “sharks” will not get anything..Thank you.