Philippine Spanish Colonial Churches

8/8/2019 Philippine Spanish Colonial Churches

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1. PAOAY CHURCH

Church of San Agustin

Location: Ilocos Norte

baroque churchcompleted in 1710 and rededicated in 1896

Exterior

a huge barn-like structure with intimations of a Borobodur temple

curvaceous lateral buttresses line the sides of the church, each gigantic buttress cascading from the finials down to

the ground, enhanced by colossal volute ornamentation

Façade:

Vertically divided by square pilasters that extend from the ground all the way to the top of the pediment

Horizontally divided by stringed cornices that extend all the way to the sides of the church and wrap around

each buttressslightly leans forward due to countless earthquakes and typhoons

At the apex is a niche, while the otherwise stark lime-mortar plaster finish is embellished with crenellations, niches,

rosettes and the Augustinian coat of arms

Walls:

one braza (1.67 meters) thick, constructed of stones called de capaza and bricks fused with lime mortar

lower level: Large coral stones

upper level: bricks and smaller stones

Bell tower:

Originally of wood was 3.5 meters high with three bells

Presently made of coral stones and lime powder with molasses as binder

occupied by the K atipuneros in 1899 and used as an observation post by the Filipino guerillas

Interior

bare and empty, supported by molave posts

What is left is a cavernous maze of wood trusses with exposed rusting corrugated iron roof sheets

What it once had in 1710: three-storey altar full of wooden statues, half of actual size, oil paintings of Buen

Pincel«gilded retablos«27 oil paintings supported by wooden frames of gold



2. ALCALA CHURCH

Church of Saint Philomene

Location: Cagayan

Built in 1881

Exterior

all-brick structure: superior-quality red clay bricks are said to be soaked in pulot (molasses) prior to use in construction to

render them waterproof

2-meter thick exterior walls are lined with rows of pilasters that alternate with the arched openings

Façade:

Almost 30 meters wide, 15 meter height pediment

lower half part features four pairs of pilasters with stark but elegant capitals flanking three arched portals

Recessed alcoves originally for bas-reliefs of saints are found between the pilasters

horizontal ledge molding separates the lower half of the façade from the upper half

Top part of the parapet wall is a pediment with a lone arched window located above the main entry, flanked bypaired pilasters.

casement windows fitted with colored glass panes

Bell tower : brick

Interior

truss roof system and interior columns are made of wood



3. TUMAUINI CHURCH

Church of San Matias

Location: Isabela

baroque-inspired church

Constructed 1705 completed 1805Exterior

constructed almost entirely out of f inely crafted red clay bricks

built on a rectangular plan complemented by a singular cylindrical bell tower

Façade:

focal point: circular pediment enhanced by the colored glass window encircled by molded bricks in garlands

Arched niches are recessed into the brick surface and contain statues of saints of fired clay, Smaller images of

saints are in bas-relief

festooned with endless garlands of fired clay rosettes, sunbursts and dentils

Interior

Circular windows

Brick walls highlighted by bas-relief clay pieces in circular and spiral patterns

A set of brick columns beneath ornate capitals flanks both sides of the sanctuary

The back of the altar is topped by a semicircular motif reminiscent of the open tail of a peacock

Philippine Spanish Colonial Churches

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