Nestled on top of a hill at the heart of the bustling commercial center, the church which was built by Franciscan missionaries in 1773 is known for its baroque architectural designs.
Poised with commanding views of the sea and Mayon Volcano, its stone masons suffused the facade with statuary, carvings, alcoves and niches at different levels. This Church was built after the eruption of Mayon Volcano which covered the original church of the town at Cagsawa. The church contains archeological relics of saints and rare religious seals engraved on volcanic rocks throughout its entire facade including the belfry. According to locals, the relics were all that was left after it was bombed by American planes during World War II in 1945. Parishioners believed that their patroness, Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, remained in the ruins unscathed after the bombing. On February 19,2008, the Maharlika Cuevas of the National Museum declared that the facades, belfry and baptistery of the church with all its archeological structures and features are part of national cultural heritage. And on October 16, 2008, it was recognized as one of the country's historical treasures by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
