A visita of Jaro, named Catmon, was placed under the patronage of San Pedro Apostol. Because of its fertile fields the town became prosperous. In 1760, Catmon became an independent parish and placed under the advocacy of Santa Barbara, Virgen y Martir. The town came to be known by its patroness' name. A church was built after Sta. Barbara's establishment as a parish but its builder is unknown. The church was destroyed in 1787 by an earthquake. The present church was built of ochre sandstone by Fr. Francisco Aguería, appointed parish priest in 1849. Fr. Mateo Rodríguez continued construction from 1855-73 and Fr. Calixto completed construction in 1878. The convento beside the church was built together with it. Santa Barbara was the site where the Philippine flag was raised for the first time and independence from Spain declared. This happened on 17 November 1898.

Heritage Features: Despite the graceful curves linking pediment with the second story and the low relieves decorating it, the church façade is basically Classical rather than Baroque. Paired Tuscan pilasters divide the façade into three bays, each pierced by an arched opening, the central and lower one being the church door. The church interior is a single wide nave with an equally wide transept. The church has three Neoclassical altars more elaborate than the façade. The long convento to the right of the church stands in contrast to the church with its rectangular window and low outline. The contrast is even more striking from the inner courtyard because of the balcony that runs, following the L-shaped plan of the convento. This is decorated with fine cutwork, and carved columns.

Recent additions to the church compound is a tree shaded park behind the apse which features a Stations of the Cross, a garden of Saints and on the outside wall of the apse bas relieves illustrating the story of the Revolution in Sta. Barbara. Behind the convento is an altar dedicated to the Virgen sang Barangay and near it is a collection of saints

Iloilo Golf and Country Club

Located at Sta. Barbara, the 37-hectare club boasts of an 18-hole golf course built by a group of Scots, British and Americans. The club was inaugurated in 1907, making it one of the oldest golf courses in the country.