3 OLD PHILIPPINE CHURCHES CONSTRUCTED DURING

THE SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

Rey Demetrial Jr.

1BSA-1A
Readings in Philippine History
San Agustin Church
San Agustin Church ​is the oldest stone
church in the country. In 1993, San
Agustin Church was one of four
Philippine churches constructed during
the Spanish colonial period to be
designated as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO, under the collective title
Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
When Augustinians arrived in
Intramuros, they were the first missionary who established this church first with nipa and
bamboo, The second church was made of wooden materials, Because of the choice of the
structural material used, it remains risky to fire accidents. The Augustinian friars made sure not
to commit the same mistakes and so they decided to build the new church using adobe stones.
San Agustin Church is located in General Luna St, Manila, Metro Manila and it was built in
1607 (412 years old).
The San Agustin Church was rebuilt three times due to man-made and natural disasters.
Since then, it has withstood natural disasters and has become the oldest church in the Philippines
and the church's monastery did not survive World War II - it burned down. San Agustin Church
became a witness to many significant events in Philippine History during the Spanish
Colonization. In 1762, during the Seven Years War, British forces looted the church. In 1898, the
church became a venue for American and Spaniards to discuss and sign the surrender of Manila
to the Americans.
San Agustin Church is a well built and durable church since it was reconstructed three
times and still used up until the present and it was the oldest church in the Philippines.

Paoay Church
The Paoay Church​ (also known as the St. Augustine Church ). The Church is a unique
combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs. Its facade reveals Gothic affinity, its
gables show Chinese elements, while the niches topping the walls suggest Javanese influence
(reminiscent of the famous Boroboudur Temple). The construction of the Paoay Church was
started by the Augustinian friars in 1686 (333 years old). It is a historical church located in the
town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
The bell tower right next to church is served as an observation post in 1896 for the
Katipuneros during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards, and again by the Filipino
guerillas during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Paoay Church was also called
‘Earthquake Baroque’ because Paoay church was built of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree
sap) and lumber, and has 24 carved massive buttresses for support. It is an architectural solution
to the area's challenging, natural setting. Both sides of the nave are lined with the most
voluminous stone buttresses seen around the islands. Large coral stones were used for the lower
level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67 meters thick
made of the same materials.
Paoay Church is not just a Church wherein you will worship God and a strong church that
experienced calamities, it is also an important tool/ place for the Filipinos during Spanish
Colonization and Japanese Occupation.

Santa Maria Church

Baroque Churches in the Philippines was first built during the Spanish Colonial Period.
Spanish missionaries, along with Filipinos and Chinese migrants, were some of the people who
influenced the design of the baroque churches highlighting Spanish structures. It's a beautiful
baroque church located in the town center of Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur and was built by the
Augustinian friars in 1769 (250 years old).

Santa Maria Church became a UNESCO

Heritage as part of the Baroque Churches
of the Philippines as it embodies
Spanish-era characteristics, such as stone
bricks, massive buttresses on the sides that
serve as a protection to the wall, and a
hexagonal bell tower separated from the
church. Due to its unique structure and
appealing location and it is a popular destination not only by the religious but also by the tourists.
Santa Maria Church is also a durable church, it is also a popular destination which you
will see beautiful spot.

Therefore, I conclude that churches in the Philippines that was built years ago are

beautiful, durable and was used differently. Now a days, these churches are still existing

and used by the people who are worshiping God as well as it became a tourist spot.

SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH

What is the background of San Agustin Church?
● it is the oldest stone church in the country. In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four
Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO, under the collective title Baroque Churches of the
Philippines.
Who built San Agustin Church?
● The Augustinians whom they were the first missionary order in the Philippines
When San Agustin Church was built?
● San Agustin Church was built in 1607
Where San Agustin Church was located?
● San Agustin Church is located in General Luna St, Manila, Metro Manila.
Why San Agustin Church reconstructed three times?
● The San Agustin Church was rebuilt three times due to man-made and natural disasters.
Since then, it has withstood natural disasters and has become the oldest church in the
Philippines and the church's monastery did not survive World War II - it burned down
Why San Agustin Church became a witness to many significant events in Philippine history
during the Spanish period?
● In 1762, during the Seven Years War, British forces looted the church. In 1898, the
church became a venue for American and Spaniards to discuss and sign the surrender of
Manila to the Americans.
How San Agustin Church was built?
● The church of San Agustin was built with the use of nipa and bamboo. The second
church was made of wooden materials. Because of the choice of the structural material
used, it remains risky to fire accidents. The Augustinian friars made sure not to commit
the same mistakes and so they decided to build the new church using adobe stones
How old is San Agustin Church?
● 412 years old
Inference: I can infer that San Agustin Church is a well built Church in the Philippines, it
is also known as the oldest church since it was reconstructed three times and still standing
up until the present.
PAOAY CHURCH
What is the background of Paoay Church?
● The Paoay Church (also known as the St. Augustine Church ). The Church is a unique
combination of Gothic, Baroque and Oriental designs. Its facade reveals Gothic affinity,
its gables show Chinese elements, while the niches topping the walls suggest Javanese
influence (reminiscent of the famous Boroboudur Temple).
Who built Paoay Church?
● Construction of the Paoay Church was started by the Augustinian friars
When Paoay Church was built?
● Paoay Church was built in 1686
Where Paoay Church was located?
● is a historical church located in the town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
Why is there a three storey coral stone bell tower right of the church?
● It was served as an observation post in 1896 for the Katipuneros during the Philippine
revolution against the Spaniards, and again by the Filipino guerillas during the Japanese
occupation in World War II.
Why Paoay Church called “Earthquake Baroque”?
● It is because Paoay church was built of baked bricks, coral rocks, salbot (tree sap) and
lumber, and has 24 carved massive buttresses for support. It is an architectural solution to
the area's challenging, natural setting. Both sides of the nave are lined with the most
voluminous stone buttresses seen around the islands. Large coral stones were used for the
lower level while bricks were used for the upper levels of the church. The walls are 1.67
meters thick made of the same materials.
How Paoay Church is Important?
● It stands at some distance from the church as a protection against earthquakes. It served
as observational post for Filipino revolutionaries against the Spaniards in 1898 and by
Filipino guerrillas against Japanese soldiers during World War II.
How old is Paoay Church?
● 333 years old
Inference: Paoay Church is not just a Church wherein you will worship God and a strong
church that against calamities, it is also an important tool/ place for the Filipinos during
Spanish Colonization and Japanese Occupation.

SANTA MARIA CHURCH

What is the background of Santa Maria Church?
● Baroque Churches in the Philippines was first built during the Spanish Colonial Period.
Spanish missionaries, along with Filipinos and Chinese migrants, were some of the
people who influenced the design of the baroque churches highlighting Spanish
structures.
Who built Santa Maria Church?
● Santa Maria Church that was built by the Augustinian friars
When Santa Maria Church was built?
● Santa Maria Church was built in 1769
Where Santa Maria Church was located?
● A beautiful baroque church located in the town center of Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur.
Why Santa Maria Church is a popular destination?
● Due to its unique structure and appealing location and it is a popular destination not only
by the religious but also by the tourists.
Why Santa Maria Church became a UNESCO World Heritage?
● As part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines as it embodies Spanish-era
characteristics, such as stone bricks, massive buttresses on the sides that serve as a
protection to the wall, and a hexagonal bell tower separated from the church.
How durable is Santa Maria Church?
● It has since endured countless calamities such as earthquakes and strong typhoons, and it
is still standing strong.
How old is Santa Maria Church?
● 250 years old
Inference: Santa Maria Church is not just a durable church, it is also a popular destination
which you will see beautiful and amazing spot.
CITED SOURCES:

A Dark Secret Lies in San Agustin Church's CryptMichael Aquino -

https://www.tripsavvy.com/san-agustin-church-intramuros-philippines-1629723

San Agustin Church: Manila, Philippines Attractions

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/manila/attractions/san-agustin-church/a/poi-sig/39117
3/357305

This Beautiful Church in Ilocos Is Situated On Top Of a Hill

Primer Media Inc -
https://primer.com.ph/travel/2019/01/29/ilocos-sur-travel-santa-maria-church-manifests-unesco-
world-heritage-baroque-ensemble/

Sta. Maria: Baroque Church Of Sta. Maria Tupang Gala -

http://www.tupanggala.com/sta-maria-church/

The Paoay Church: Ilocos Norte, Philippines

http://www.digitaljournal.com/blog/3098

The History Of the San Agustin Church : Philippine Art, Culture and Antiquities
http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives/119/the-history-of-the-san-agustin-church