Dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, Siquijor was created a parish independent of Dumaguete in 1781 (other sources say 1780, but this is the year when approval was given). It was the lone parish in the island until other parishes were created out of it. Its church (said to have been built in 1774) was made of stone, cruciform and had a nipa roof. It had generous proportions. Being 198 x 42 feet and 24 feet in height. The adjoining convento was likewise made of stone rubble.
