The church was built atop a hill overlooking the town and river, now in the Barangay Mataas na Bayan. Not only does the church feature thick walls along with the stout buttresses but the complex is itself surrounded by walls, a fort in all but name. With commanding views and steeply sloping hillsides this was a natural defensive location. Local stories tell of how the townspeople sought refuge behind these walls during pirate raids. It was during one of these raids that they prayed to Jesus’ mother, Mary, and she appeared and drove the raiders away. Thus began the devotion to “Mahal na Birhen ng Biglang Awa” or “Our Lady of Prompt Succor”. It does take a steep but short climb up from downtown Boac to visit the church but it is worth the effort. The historical marker states the church was built in 1792 but a church of some form undoubtedly existed as the Catholic Church was established on Marinduque in 1579. The church has some of the features of “Earthquake Baroque” architecture featured by Spanish colonial churches as an adaptation to the geologic reality of frequent earthquakes. The design was one of lower and wider proportions with thicker side walls with heavy buttresses for stability. The bell towers, too, are lower and stouter, wider at the base tapered at the top. The main doors of the cathedral are impressive. They are made of heavy dark wood with bad-relief carvings of the four authors of the gospels; Saints John and Mark on one door with Luke and Matthew on the other. The church has undergone much restoration over the years and a variety of building materials have been used. The side walls and front feature red brick. Some of the buttresses probably have the most original construction material but even there the buttresses feature different stones and brick used for repair. The interior is airy, cooled by breezes funneled through the main as well as side doors. It appears that there are large AC units arranged along the side walls. The retablo or colonial altarpiece is also quite impressive

Many years cannot go home because I am busy and due to covid pandemic. Right now is time and not yet very strict, normal for traveling.