A major milestone in local faith tourism was marked as the Jesus Nazareno Shrine officially broke ground on June 16, 2025, in Sitio Mibala, Barangay Tipanoy, Iligan City. The event was witnessed by church leaders, and members of the community, signaling the start of what is expected to become a premier pilgrimage and cultural destination in the city. The project is expected to boost not only spiritual growth but also eco-tourism and local economic development.
Envisioned as a sacred and serene place of worship, the upcoming shrine will be built in two key zones: the Religious Center and the Retreat Center. The Religious Center will feature a church, a grand Nazarene statue, a Via Dolorosa path, a rectory, a function hall, candle house, café, gazebo, ticketing and admin offices, gift shop, and ample parking. Meanwhile, the Retreat Center is designed to include lodging facilities, a chapel, scenic restaurant, dining hall, amphitheater, oratory, viewing deck, and a watch tower.
Here’s the perspective of the Statue at Religious Center.
Here’s the proposed Master Plan showing the Religious Center (right) and Retreat Center (left).
Based on the proposed masterplan, the shrine will have two main sections: (1) Religious Center – featuring a Church, a Nazarene Statue, Via Dolorosa Path, Rectory, Function Hall, Candle House, Cafe, Gazebo, Ticketing, Admin and Gift Shop and Parking Area, and (2) Retreat Center – with Lodging Facilities, Chapel, Scenic Restaurant, Dining Hall, Viewing Deck, Amphitheater, Oratory and Watch Tower, among others.
Construction is expected to be carried out in phases, with the first phase focusing on the core structures of the religious center.
design images by Nazareno Diocese Iligan
