Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church @ Pililla, Rizal

Balisong Church @ Taal, Batangas

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Church @ Sta Teresita, Batangas

Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church/ Simbahan ng Carcar/ The Church of Carcar (Carcar, Cebu)

The Church of Carcar:

The Church of Carcar (2013)

The Church of Carcar (2011)

About the Church:

The church of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar, Cebu is already 124 years old and is among the great wonder and treasure of the town. It is not clear in the history records as to who built the church but it must be observed that the Augustinian friars were in charge of the parishes from San Nicolas up to Tañon and from then on.

Fr. Antonio Maglano became the parish priest of Carcar on October 16, 1858, he began the construction of the present day church a year later. The construction lasted for six years since it was left unfinished by the succeeding friars. At that time St. Catherine’s already had three naves. The style was patterned after the “mujedar” in Spain, comprising of two bells. With an onion-shaped tip. Nine years later, Fr. Manuel Rubio Fernandez from Asturias, Spain became the parish priest and continued the construction which was finished after two years.

St. Catherine’s Church holds unprecedented history. Inspired by the Graeco-Roman style, with strong Muslim influence, the church is made of masonry with one main nave and two aisles. The nave measures 68 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 12 meters high. The main entrance has a double arch design inviting attention in the massive rectangular façade. The twin bell towers of solid geometric pylons, act as buttresses but are integrated as part of the façade. The twin bell towers end up at the third level in the minaret shape common to Muslim mosques.

The only embellishments that have been provided are the geometric flora on the spandrels, the blind rose window below the upper recessed arch and the carved Augustinian symbol above it. The simplicity of the design of the facade is countered by the complex pattern of the upper-story of the Muslim like bell tower and the Baroque pediment. It is noticeable that all the twelve apostles were carved in white except for Judas, which was done in black. (Sourced from www.etravelpilipinas.com)

My Visit to the Church: I have been to CarCar Church twice or thrice and everytime the Church was closed but last January 2014 it was open! They were doing some restoration / Renovation works on the Church and the doors were open. What I saw inside made my trip to Cebu WORTH it. The Church was not just Impressive outside but was equally beautiful and impressive inside. The ceiling boasted of lovely paintings. At the top of the Old Main Altar was a Beautiful painting of the Holy Family and just below it is a statue of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. On each pillar of the Church is a Station of the cross and above the stations of the cross are Angels holding lights.

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Carcar (2013)

The Church of Carcar (2011)

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish Church @ Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte

Saint Louis the Bishop Church / Simbahan ni San Luis Obispo / The Church of Baler (Baler, Aurora)

The Church of Baler:

San Luis Obispo Church (Baler, Aurora)/ Taken Year 2010

San Luis Obispo Church (Baler, Aurora)/ Taken Year 2012

About the Church: The structure is an old church with a simple facade. Here, the last Spanish garrison of four officers and 50 men was besieged by Filipino insurgents from June 27, 1898 to July 2, 1899. This was the last pocket of resistance of the Spanish Armed Forces to surrender to American troops. This is also where the La Campana de Baler, an ancient bell, was used and later stored as a relic. (from Aurora.ph)

Distinctions of the Church: National Historical Landmark (1939)

 Other Pictures of the Church of Baler:

San Luis Obispo Church (Baler, Aurora)/ Taken Year 2010

San Luis Obispo Church (Baler, Aurora)/ Taken Year 2012

San Agustin Church / Saint Augustine Church / Simbahan ni San Agustin (Intramuros, Manila)

The Church of SanAgustin:

San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Church previous color was stripped and in place a more natural color, color of concrete was used (2013)

 

About the Church: In 1571, Bamboo and Nipa Church was built. December 1574, Church was destroyed by fire during the attempted invasion of Manila by Limahong. February 1583, Second Church made of wood was razed by fire. Construction of a new church began in 1586. Church was declared complete on January 19,1607. The Church was looted by the British in 1762. In 1854 the Church was renovated under the supervision of Architect Luciano Oliver. On August 18,1898 the church was the site where Spanish Governor-General Fermin Jaudenes prepared  the terms for the surrender of Manila to the United States of America following the Spanish-American War.

Other Important Facts About the Church: The Church is National Cultural Treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the Mother Church of the Augustinian Order. The Present Church built between 1587-1604 was built by Juan Macias. The Vaulted grisalle and trompe-l’oeil was painted by Italian Artists Cesare Alberoni and Giovanni Dibella in 1875. 

My Thoughts on the Church: I have been to San Agustin Church 4-5 times but it was only today (May 11, 2012) that i was able to see the Church in its entirety. The Experience was just Incredible. The Interior of the Church was just Amazing. The collection of the Museum exquisite. I felt like i was in Heaven with all the Antique Santos available for viewing.

Entry to the Museum is P100, picture is taking is allowed but turn off the Flash. Some rooms do not allow Picture Taking so make sure to read the sign outside the room before clicking away.

For a More Detailed History: San Agustin Church Wikipedia Entry (Includes an Old Photo of the Church wherein it still has 2 Bellfrys), Heritage Conservation Society

The Official Website of the Church: San Agustin Church

Other Blog Entries: Polymu Photography, Don Trivino

Travel Guide Entries On the Church: Manila Portal, Trip Advisor, Wow Philippines

Article(s) About the Church: The San Agustin Church in Intramuros (Sun Star)

Architectural Style: Baroque

Location of the Church: The Church is located Inside the Walled City of Intramuros of Manila.

Famous People Buried Inside the Church: Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Martin de Goiti, Juan Salcedo, Juan Luna, Pedro Paterno, Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Antonio de Ayala, Trinidad Ayala Zobel, Jacobo Zobel, Carmen Ayala Roxas. 

Old Pictures of the Church:

San Agustin Church (After 1880 Earthquake) – from Wikipedia.Org

 

San Agustin Church – from Philippine-Evolution.Com

Other Pictures of the Church: 

San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Monica Lopez Vda de Ripoll

The Church previous color was stripped and in place a more natural color, color of concrete was used (2013)

Cathedral of San Diego Alcala / Cathedral of Gumaca (Gumaca, Quezon)

My Thoughts on the Cathedral: The Cathedral of San Diego Alcala in the town of Gumaca, Quezon is the most beautiful Church in the province and in my opinion one of the most beautiful Churches in the Country. The Cathedral is also the biggest and the oldest in the Province. 

Saint Mary Magdalene Church @ Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

–ooOOoo–

Santuario de San Antonio Parish (Forbes Park, Makati)

Stations of the Cross Garden