Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinctive architecture, a highlight of which is the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building.

[2] Building of the present church was started in 1694 by Augustinian friar Father Antonio Estavillo, completed in 1710 and rededicated in 1896.

[5] Several projects for the restoration of Paoay Church were sought by government and non-government organizations due to possible question on its structural integrity.

[7] Conservation of the church's exteriors was begun by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in the second quarter of 2019 and completed in June 2020.

Extending from the exterior walls, it was conceived to a solution to possible destruction of the building due to earthquakes.

[4] The mortar used in the church includes sand and lime with sugarcane juice boiled with mango leaves, leather and rice straw.

Gothic features are also present through the use of finials while the triangular pediment shows Chinese elements and Oriental strokes.

[13] Adjacent to the façade is a three-storey coral bell tower constructed separately from the church building on the right side resembling a pagoda.