Founded in 1986, the Sto Niño Diocesan Shrine in Butuan is one of the churches found in the historic city where many believed Magellan first landed. It is located in Maharlika Highway, Libertad in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte in the Philippines and widely known today as the Sto Niño Shrine and/or Sto Niño Parish.
Declared a Diocesan Shrine in 2000, the Sto. Niño Church enshrines an image of the Holy Child (Sto. Niño) that Magellan first brought to Butuan before it stayed in Cebu at the Sto Niño de Cebu. And because of the Holy Child’s influence to the Christianity in the country, many establishments today are named after it – such as Sto Niño de Paz in Makati, Sto Niño Cold Spring in Camiguin and many more.
The construction of the current church started in 1995 when His Excellency, Most Reverend Carmelo D.F. Morelos was the Bishop of Butuan. It was finished during the incumbency of the Shepherd of the Diocese, His Excellency, Most Reverend Juan de Dios Pueblos while the parish was under the pastoral care of Reverend Father Juanito Belino in 1997. Notable benefactor of the church development is Mr. Rene Sese and the lot where the Sto Niño Shrine stood today was donated by Mrs. Luz Belen Sese and heirs of the late Colonel Alfredo C. Sese and family.
Sto Nino Shrine, Butuan
The Sto Niño Church was blessed and consecrated on September 9, 1997 by His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal together with Bishop Pueblos and Father Belino. On March 8, 2000 (Ash Wednesday), the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco, solemnly dedicated the church into a Shrine during his pastoral visit.
The Sto Niño Diocesan Shrine is along the main road, 200m away from Libertad Public Market. It is 4-kilometers or about 15 minutes away from Butuan’s Bancasi Airport. From the Airport going to Butuan’s City Center, the Church is on the right side of the road before reaching the Sports Complex.
For more information, you can contact the office at telephone number +63 85 342-8370.
Ceiling design
Ceiling of Sto. Nino Church
Chandelier
Church Choir
Landscape view of the church
Mai and Zoilo during the wedding
Main Altar of Sto Nino Shrine
Mark and Lisa snapshot
Parish office
Rhea and wife Lisa inside the church
Statue of Sto Nino
View of the altar
Wedding Ceremony of friends Zoilo and Mai
Zoilo and Mai near the Holy Child Statue
Mark and Lisa at Sto Nino Church, Butuan
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
