Barasoain Church

“Cradle of Democracy in the East”

Façade of the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark

Introduction
Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic
church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy
in the East, the most important religious building in the Philippines, and the site of the First
Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, the church is also renowned for its
architectural design and internal adornments. The original church was burned during the outbreak
of the Philippine Revolution however, it was renovated. It is about 42 kilometers away from
Manila.

The church recorded some of the important events occurred in the country. While it has
been a temporary residence of General Aguinaldo, three major events in Philippine History
happened in this church: the convening of the First Philippine Congress (September 15, 1898), the
drafting of the Malolos Constitution (September 29, 1898 to January 21, 1899), and the
inauguration of the First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899).

By Presidential Decree No. 260, the church was proclaimed as a National Shrine by
President Ferdinand Marcos on August 1, 1973.
 Background
Location

Barasoain Church is situated near latitude 14°50’46.82” N and longitude

120°48’44.79” E. It is located near the town plaza of Malolos, the capital city of the province of
Bulacan and about 50 kilometers away from Manila. It is bounded by the towns of Calumpit,
Plaridel, Sta. Isabel and Paombong.

Map of the Philippines Map of the Bulacan

Aerial view of Barasaoin Church Historical Landmark from Google earth

Description of the Building

Barasoain Church is a complex site of about 6,000
square meters consisting of the church proper, a belfry, a
convent cloister, a front patio and an interior court.

The features of the façade are Neo-classic in style. The

semicircular pediment is like the opening bar to a symphony
 of variations on a circle motif. The shoulders of the pediment
swing into curvilinear slopes and terminate in the contrapuntal
sphere-topped urn finials. The smaller entrances are the repetitions
of the main entrance with recessed arches rest on triple columns
with graceful cylindrical shafts. The recurring melody is faintly
played out in the arched niche on the pediment, which is rendered
deep and narrow by the recessed arch and by the slim obscure
statue it houses. At present, it continues to function as a church.

The belltower on the right side of the church rises from a

cube and tapers into three layers, rhythmically accented by blind
and open windows. Inverted scallops, metamorphosing at some
point into simple plant forms, run along the base of each layer like grace notes embellishing an
otherwise simple passage.

The convent on the left side where the Universidad

Literaria Cientifica de Filipinas was first housed is a
combination of adobe and wood construction. At present, it
features a light and sound museum under the management of the
National Historical Institute.

Design

Barasoain Church is an example of the typical church-convent-patio design of churches

built during the Spanish period. The structure adopts elementary and well-defined lines following
the period’s trends. Various European historical styles, predominantly Baroque revival, were
employed. The eclectic composition made use of the Early Renaissance technique of transfiguring
the classical temple form into a new shape, in the case of Barasoain, into a Baroque oval-based
design of the church facade. Then details and elements from Romanesque and Neo-classic styles
were proportionally copied with delicate balance onto the basic façade outline.

The architectural design was an austere version of the magnanimous European Baroque
and Neo-Classic buildings built by master architects. Since Roman Catholic churches in the
Philippines were built by missionaries, not master architects, obviously there was less articulation.
Only Basilica type or larger churches found in first class towns and cities, afforded two bell towers,
elaborate façade, painted ceilings, a pulpit, replica statue-filled and gilded retablo, landscaped
patios and a cloister, while the rest settled for whatever resources were available, including local
materials and manpower.

The church nave is very simple. Its single nave is subdivided into three open aisles, a central
nave and two side aisles, by two symmetrical rows of wooden posts which support the roof
superstructure and arched ceilings. The ceilings were reconstructed in the later part of 1980s
approximating the original oval-arched (vaulted) ceilings. The new wooden retablo was then
removed and relocated to another site, revealing the original stone altar that was covered for a long
time. The floor was raised and replaced twice because of periodic flooding inside the church. The
old baldoza tile finish was replaced with granolithic topping, then recently overlaid with Bulacan
marble veneers.

The Romanesque revival is clearly portrayed by the rose window, the receding arches, the
solid blank base wall of the bell tower, the arched windows and the machicolations of each bell
tower tier, the battlements on the top tier and the tower terminating in a pointed pyramidal cap
which follows the tower’s hexagonal plan. The bell tower cap has been replaced with different
tops for a number of times.

The all-timber second floor construction depicts local architecture features such as
continuous row, from one end of the façade to the other, of light transfusing capiz windows and
transoms subdivided into several bays so that window panels could freely slide open or close for
the desired mode of natural light and ventilation. Air circulation is reinforced by the ingenuously
provided ventanilla on each of the bay centers below the window opening. Hand-lathed window
mullions are the only ornamental accents of the convent edifice. Other cool features are its high
ceilings, a corridor which also doubles as continuous balcony connecting the spacious rooms and
the outdoors through wide open window bays, and the high-pitched roof that responds to any
inclement weather.

The church also contains a bell tower with the adoration chapel, devotional chapel with racks for
candles and several sculptures found around the structure.

History
Through the years, the parish stood for the test of time; becoming a silent witness to the
events that occurred within and outside its walls.

Etymology

According to some people who see the relevance of

the name Barasoain in the Revolution, the word Barasoain
came from the term "Baras ng Suwail" which means
"dungeon of the defiant." It may be seen that Barasoain is
the town of the nationalistic Filipino, fighting against the
foreigners who oppressed the nation.

However, according to Jose P. W. Tantoco, the Old picture of Barasoain Church

former president of Bulacan Historical, Inc., the name
Barasoain came from the missionaries in this town who came from a similarly-named town in
Spain. The town of Barasoain in Spain is located in the District of Navarra.
 From Pampanga, the Augustinian missionaries arrived in Barasoain via Calumpit. Here,
they saw a community that reminded them of the forest and the beauty of Barasoain in Navarra,
Spain.

It can be said that a missionary from Navarra recognized his hometown he loved and
considered Barasoain as his second town and he lived in one of the houses in Barasoain. During
his visit in Malolos during the 1998 Independence Day Centennial Anniversary, former president
Joseph Estrada stayed in this district of heritage houses.

One of the first houses in Barasoain today that serves as a commercial establishment is the
Ancestral House of the former president Corazon Aquino, the 11th president of the Republic of
the Philippines.

Presently, houses in Malolos City are commonly made of wood and cement, showcasing
the modern construction methods prevalent in the present period. Some of the old houses still
standing that show the heritage of the past are located in Barangay Anilao.

Early History

Barasoain Church's history began when the town of Barasoain, along with the town of
Santa Isabel, was split from the town of Malolos in 1859. Don Alejandro Valenzuela was the first
gobernadorcillo of the new town. With this splitting, a church was built to cater the needs of the
residents.

Barasoain Church began as a chapel built by Augustinian missionaries in 1859 with Fr.
Fray F. Arriola as the first parish priest. With a stone church yet to be built, the space in patheon
of Casa Tribunal (now known as Casa Real de Malolos) was used located near the bridge in the
road leading to Malolos Basilica. In 1860, the church made of nipa and bamboo was made in the
site that will become as the present-day church's plaza. In 1862, funds were raised to begin
constructing a stone church.

In 1863, the convent made of stones and bricks was constructed in Camino Real (now
Paseo del Congreso) and Calle Republika (now Don Antonio Bautista Street). Fr. Emiterio Ruperas
succeeded Fr. Arriola in 1871 until a new parish priest arrived (which will be Fr. Francisco Royo),
it was during his time that one of the existing church bells (bearing the year 1870) was given by
the town of Malolos and was dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Fr. Francisco Royo was succeeded by Fr. Juan Giron in 1879. In 1880, a strong earthquake
caused the bell tower and the roof to collapse; it was later replaced. In 1884, a large fire that started
in Liang destroyed the church for the second time. In 1885, the present church made of concrete
stone and adobe was constructed. It was spearheaded by Fr. Juan Giron with Miguel Magpayo as
the lead constructor for the project.
 In 1889, Fr. Martin Arconada rebuilt the bell tower and repaired the convent. With the
arrival of Filipino priests, the church underwent massive changes especially the facade. The facade
was replaced and the image of Christ the King is installed as if it is overlooking the entire parish
to defend it. A cement floor was installed for the people to climb to it.

The Malolos Republic

The most colorful period in the church's history came during the outbreak of the Philippine
Revolution. The end of the Spanish rule in the Philippines brought the American colonizers in the
country. It was during this time that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo established the First Philippine
Republic.

With tensions rising between the Filipino and American forces, Gen. Aguinaldo moved the
capital from Manila to Malolos. The congress of the early republic convened in Barasoain Church
and soon drafted its Constitution and was ratified in 1899. This led to the formal inauguration of
the First Philippine Republic on 23 January 1899.

With the Philippine-American War finally breaking out on 4 February 1899, the Congress
held its last session on the last week of the same month with President Aguinaldo retreating to
Nueva Ecija. Barasoain and Malolos was finally captured by the Americans on 31 March 1899.

The American Period

In February 1900, the Americans appointed officials to lead the towns of Malolos,
Barasoain and Santa Isabel. Don Pedro del Rosario was appointed to lead the town of Barasoain.
In 1901, the capital of Bulacan was transferred from the town of Bulakan to Malolos. In 1903, the
towns of Barasoain and Santa Isabel were reunited with Malolos.

Contemporary Period

In 1973, Barasoain Church was proclaimed as a National Shrine by former President

Ferdinand Marcos through the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 260. A museum, managed by the
National Historical Commission of the Philippines was opened in the convent.

In 1989 Msgr. Moises Andrade, the then parish priest, removed the wooden retablo made
in the past and left exposed the original stones columns and the walls of the altar. This showed the
original baroque design of the main altar.

In 1997, in coordination with the parish priest, Msgr. Jose Aguilan, the National Centennial
Commission initiated a major restoration and development works for Barasoain church and
convent for the celebration of centennial anniversary of Malolos Congress. The entire roof of the
church was reconstructed using the replicas of clay tiles of the 19th century and elevating it three
meters higher than the original level. Likewise, the marble flooring was replaced by the checkboard
design of black and white cement tiles. The original motif and design of ceiling and walls were
copied.

Upon its completion on 30 June 1998, President Joseph Estrada, 100 years after the
Philippine Republic was inaugurated and 100 years after the oathtaking of President Emilio in
1889 as the first president, took his oath of Office as the 13th Philippine Republic.

The church has become Malolos City's symbolic landmark. Around the church, one can
find public schools, banks, computer centers, shops, subdivisions, hospitals and roads that connect
the city to Manila and other nearby towns. In spite of modernization, the city still possesses the
beauty of what was once a town that was established in this particular area. Farms, fishpens and
trees are also located nearby.

The Universidad Scientifico Literaria de Filipinas (University of Literature and Science)

which was founded by the First Republic in the convent of the church does not exist anymore. La
Consolacion University of the Philippines (formerly University of Regina Carmeli) is the present
educational institution standing beside the church. The university is under the management of
Augustinian sisters and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Arts and Sciences.

In the parish, church and civic organizations remain active that keep the strong foundation
of faith that is being passed from generations to generations. The organizations are also active in
keeping the historical and political heritage of Malolos, particularly Barasoain.

Summary

The three centuries of Spanish rule in the country left long lasting legacies in the country.
The culture of the Filipinos was inevitably inspired by the Iberian rule in the Philippines. From the
food that we eat and even our names were rooted in the blood of our Spanish ancestry.
Furthermore, the massive structures like churches and cathedral are silent witness of that time.
During the Spanish era, Christianity was introduced by missionaries who came to the country.

They not only used the sword as part of controlling the country but also used the cross. The
Spaniards forced the Filipinos to construct churches as a place of worship. In the entire Philippines,
there are countless churches built during the Spanish period; a product of hardship and
perseverance of many Filipinos. These churches served not only as a place of worship but also as
a place of refuge during trying times.
 One of the more significant churches in the country is the Barasoain Church. Located in
Malolos, Bulacan, this church has contributed in the struggle for independence. Barasoain was a
visita of Malolos from which it separated in 1859. The first parish priest, Fr. Francisco Arriola
was appointed on June 1, 1859. He built its convent. A small ermita was constructed during the
time of Fr. Melchor Fernandez in 1816, which served as a
temporary parish church. He was the priest of Malolos from
1816-1840. One of the existing bells in the church, dated 1870,
was installed by Fr. Emeterio Ruperez, which was donated by
the principalia of Malolos. It was dedicated to Our Lady of
Carmel of Barasoain. The temporary chapel was replaced with
a hewn stone church by Fr. Francisco Royo in 1871 and 1878
but was destroyed by fire later on. What was left was one of
the bells that were installed by Fr. Royo
Church main altar
on February 30, 1873 which was
dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. During the term of Fr. Juan Giron, the chapel
of the cemetery was used until it was also destroyed during an earthquake of
1880. He then built a temporary chapel made of nipa and bamboo; however,
it was burned down in 1884 during the solemn celebrations of the feast of
Our Lady of Carmel. In 1885, Fr. Giron hired a contractor and started the
construction of a massive church made of bricks and masonry. The church
was completed under the supervision of Fr. Giron. However, there was no
specific date of its completion. Some historian said
that “at the time it was completed, the pockets of Fr.
Giron were drained”, he might have put every penny
for the construction of the church. The construction
of the tower and the restoration of the convent started
during the term of Fr. Martin Arconada in 1889.
There were three bells installed in 1897. One of them
is dedicated to St. Martin and was donated by Fr.
Arconada. The convent undertook another Church two side altars
restoration in 1894 by Fr. Miguel Vera.

The Barasoain Church played a major role in the history of the Philippines. Three important
episodes in the history of the Philippines took place there. After the declaration of the Philippine
independence in Kawit, Cavite in June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo transferred his government to Malolos,
Bulacan. The Barasoain Church became the venue for the inauguration of the First Philippine
Congress on September 15, 1898, for the drafting of the Malolos Constitution on September 29,
1898 to January 21, 1899 and for the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on January 23,
1899. These events count among the proudest moments in the struggle of Filipinos for self-rule.

In recent years, the buildings have undergone thorough restoration under the supervision
of the National Historical Institute. Because of the significant events that took place in the said
church and its convent, and its distinct architectural design, it was declared a National Landmark
on August 1, 1973.
Value Typologies
Historical Value

The Barasoain Church Historical

Landmark is popularly known as the seat
of the Malolos Congress of September 15,
1898, for the drafting of the Malolos
constitution on September 29, 1898 and
the site of the inauguration of the First
Philippine Republic in January 23, 1899.

Religious Value

A Roman Catholic Church,

Barasoain become an independent parish
in 1859 dedicated to Our Lady of Mount A session during the First Philippine Congress in Malolos,
Carmel. It was one of the countless Bulacan
churches built during Spanish period as a
place of worship.

Educational Value

The Universidad Literaria Cientifica de Filipinas was first housed in the Barasoain convent.
It offered Law as well as Medicine, Surgery and Notary Public, the Academia Militar and the
Burgos Institute, an exclusive school for boys. Today, the convent houses different museum, a
place of informal learning. It tries to carry lessons from history and the importance of civic duties.

Associational Value

The site serves as the haven of the Congreso Revolucionario during the Philippine
revolution with the ilustrados as its delegates and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as the leader.

Authentic Value

Founded by Augustinian Missionaries, it was originally built in 1630. Even if it was

destroyed by fire on 1884 that caused reconstruction and various renovations, the structure itself
was very similar to the church during Spanish era with neo-classic style features of the façade.
Analysis
In 1997, the National Centennial Commission (NCC) initiated major restoration and
development works for the Barasoain Church and Convent for the celebration of the centennial
anniversary of the Malolos Congress on September 15, 1998 and the First Philippine Republic on
January 1999.

Many parts of the structure were reconstructed in accordance with the approved plans and
concept for the National Centennial Celebrations. One of the crucial interventions was the
reconstruction of the entire roofing system of the church. The new roofing system covered with
replicas of clay tiles used in the 19th century was constructed 3 meters higher than the original
level. The marble flooring was replaced by the checkerboard design of black and white cement
tiles. The original motif and design of ceilings and walls are copied.

The ground floor adobe walls of the convent were retained and most of the wooden
components at the second floor were replaced. At present the structure is used by the NHI as office
and museum. Additional structures with design simulated of that of the existing convent were also
built to house the ecclesiastical museum, office of the parish and the residence of the parish priest.

As a whole the original features of the church were preserved, and because of its historical
contribution, tourists and visitors from different places and localities always include Barasoain
church Historical Landmark in their itinerary of important historical places to visit in Bulacan.

The church and its facilities are being maintained with continuous support from the national
government, local government, other institution and the church.

Current Issues and Problems

1. The adobe wall shows powdering (pulverization) while some are chipped and cracked.
Proper consolidation is needed.
2. Some wooden parts are rotted and deteriorated due to weathering.
3. Termite infestations on wooden components are observed.
4. Capiz shell windows are currently tarnished.
5. Presence of botanical growth and black deposits on stone walls.
6. The need of skylight roofing at the azotea to prevent the area from deterioration. This
can be used as an additional function room.
7. Rusted window grills.
8. Door pivot and locks are deteriorated and some are not functional.
9. Gaps on some part of the stone walls.
10. Some wooden window grills and wood balusters are missing and others are broken.
11. Vigan tiles at the azotea area are chipped while others are deteriorated.
12. Some painted parts show blotches.