Augustinian Philippine churches in world heritage list for 21 years now
Contrary to popular perception, the Augustinians were not only pioneers in the evangelization of the Philippines; they were likewise pioneers in Philippine architecture.
In fact, four Philippine baroque churches that made it to the World Heritage List were built by Augustinians.
These churches were identified and listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 11, 1993 and were recognized as part of the common heritage of humankind. The 11th of December this year, marks the 21st anniversary of the declaration of these churches as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These churches are the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte and Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miagao, Iloilo. Of all the four churches, it is the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila that – up to the present –remains under the management of the Augustinian Order.
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH INTRAMUROS, MANILA
The church was founded in 1592 and its construction was finished after 20 years, that is, from 1586 to 1606. According to Fr. Pedro Galende, O.S.A. in his book “Angels in Stone,” it was alleged that Fray Antonio de Herrera directed the construction of the monastery and the church, and, referring to the account in Libros de Gobierno, that Juan Macias was the architect of the church.
Today, the monastery houses the San Agustin Museum, Archives and Library. It is also the seat of the Vicariate of the Orient under the jurisdiction of the Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines, which Provin- cial House is in Spain. At present, the church is also a most sought after venue for weddings.
OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION SANTA MARIA, ILOCOS SUR
The church was founded as a visita in 1765 and became an independent parish under the advocation of Our Lady of the Assumption in1769. In his book “Angels in Stone,” Fr. Galende also mentioned that it is believed that it was Fr. Alejandro Peyrona, O.S.A. who constructed the church before the close of the 18th century. Father Galende described the church as simple but with massive structure. The façade has three openings and a blind niche. There are circular arched forms in the main entrance and the blind niche on the pediments, while the lateral ones have segmental pediments.
The church is currently under the administration of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
The church was founded as a visita of Batac in 1593 and as a parish in 1686, under the titular patron Saint Augustine of Hippo. The construction of the present church was started in 1699 by Fr. Antonio Estavillo, O.S.A. and it was only after 13 years that it was finished. In 1719, a brick convent was constructed with four main rooms, a kitchen and a store room. There was a major restoration of the edifices from 1889 to 1898 due to damages caused by typhoons and earthquakes. The church is considered to be a rare and best example of religious architecture in the country. The church is now under the administration of the Diocese of Laoag, wherein the local clergy are assigned as parish priests. The Paoay church is one of the many heritage sites that the Province of Ilocos Norte is proud of.
SANTO TOMAS DE VILLANUEVA CHURCH MIAGAO, ILOILO
Miagao was founded in 1580 and became a parish in 1731, with San Tomas de Villanueva as the titular patron. The present church was built starting in 1744, with Fr. Francisco Gonzales Maximo, O.S.A. as prior of the convent. The magnificent church-fortress was finished in 1797. Father Galende describes the façade of the church as a blend of various architectural tendencies into one local religious art style. The church withstood powerful earthquakes and typhoons recorded in the history of the region. By virtue of a Presidential Decree, it was declared as a National Shrine on August 1, 1963.
The parish priest of the church at present belongs to the local clergy of the Archdiocese of Jaro.
The above four churches were also declared by the National Museum of the Philippines and by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as National Cultural Treasures and as National Historical Landmarks, respectively. All these churches, just like all other declared World Heritage Sites, are under the supervision of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), as per provisions of the Heritage Law (RA 10066),
These declared heritage churches are not only representatives of the architecture during a particular period they were constructed, but also of the craftsmanship of the Filipinos during the Spanish colonization. Today, these churches are major tourist destinations in the regions concerned.
Just as it is important to commemorate the 450 years of Augustinian presence in the Philippines, it is equally important to take cognition of the architectural legacies of the Augustinians. Both efforts to evangelize and to establish places of worship are vital components of the very rich history of the Filipinos and of the country.