Guagua Church

14°57′52″N 120°38′2″E / 14.96444°N 120.63389°E / 14.96444; 120.63389LocationPlaza Burgos, Guagua, PampangaCountryPhilippinesDenominationRoman CatholicHistoryDedicationImmaculate ConceptionConsecrated1661ArchitectureHeritage designationWith marker from the National Historical CommitteeArchitect(s)Fr. Jose DuqueArchitectural typeChurch buildingStyleBaroque, Barn-style BaroqueSpecificationsLength60 metres (200 ft)Width16 metres (52 ft)Height12 metres (39 ft)MaterialsSand, gravel, cement, mortar, steel and bricksAdministrationProvinceEcclesiastical Province of San FernandoArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of San FernandoClergyArchbishopMost. Rev. Florentino G. LavariasPriest(s)Rev. Fr. Adrian P. Paule

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church, also known as the Guagua Church, is a 17th-century Baroque church located at Brgy. Plaza Burgos, Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines. In 1982, a historical marker bearing the brief history of the church was installed on the facade by the church by the National Historical Committee, precursor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Today, the church is under the care of the Immaculate Conception parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando.

History

Historical records indicate that by May 17, 1590, the convent of Guagua has been established by the Augustinian Friars, with Father Bernardino de Quevedo and Father Juan de Zabala as resident priests. Its first titular patron is the Nativity of Our Lady. The construction of the present-day church structures would have been started in 1641, when the convent of Guagua was relieved of paying its rent to San Agustin Monastery in Manila. Such exemption from dues has been attributed to the monetary need of the parochial leaders in supervising the building of a parochial building. Father Jose Duque, a prolific church builder, was assigned parish priest of Guagua in 1661. The present church is attributed to him. Father Duque is said to have been influential in the pacification of Kapampangan rebels in 1660. Another notable figure in the history of the church of Guagua is Father Manuel Carrillo. Father Carrillo, during his term as parish priest around 1762, signed a loan covering some of the properties of the local convent for the renovations of the church. The current stone convent is attributed as one of his works. Several significant improvements in the church structure followed. In 1862, Father Antonio Bravo has the church interiors painted while in 1886, Father Paulino Fernandez installed the church dome. It was also during the late 19th century that Doña Carmen Macau had an organ installed in the church, an organ that was once dubbed as the best in Pampanga. In the 1990s, the stone convent was razed by fire.^[1]

Architecture

The present brick and stone church is Barn-style Baroque architecture, typically seen in many Spanish-era churches in the Philippines. The facade has two levels topped with a pediment bearing volutes that contrast with the slender columns.^[1] Specially notable about the embellishments on the facade are embossed shells found at the base of the pediment and plant motifs found in the retablo on the pediment. Attached to the right of the church is a 5-level octagonal bell tower. The church measures 60 metres (200 ft) long, 16 metres (52 ft) wide and 12 metres (39 ft) high and is built in a cruciform manner.^[1]

Image gallery

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  Church interior in 2014
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  Plant embellishments found on the pediment
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  Details of the window and columns
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  Back view of the belfry
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  Wall composed of stone and bricks in alternating layers
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  Main door with prominent shell motifs
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  Marian emblem atop the main doorway
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  Niches found at the side wall
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  Holy water font
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  Side view of the belfry
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  Details of the window border
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  Finials capping the slender columns of the facade
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  Steel dome
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  Main bell or Campana Mayor

References

External links

• Media related to Guagua Church at Wikimedia Commons