Church of Barasoain

CHURCH OF BARASOIN

Barely an hour’s ride from Manila, the Barasoain Church stands on a wide imposing patio. The church became the sanctuary of the Philippine Republic that was born out of shattered battleflags and bloody battlefields.

Almost a decade after the founding of Manila, a settlement was made by the Augustinian missionaries in Barasoain and a church of nipa and bamboo was constructed near the river between Maluslos (Malolos) and Barasoain, in front of the Casa Tribunal (Presidencia) commonly called “Casa Real“. A big fire in the 17th century destroyed the new church.

Another church was constructed on a new site, at its present location—corner of Paseo del Congreso and Republica streets. The church constructed under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Francisco Royo, O.S.A., was also made of light materials. In 1884, during the celebration of the Feast of the Lady of Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen), Patroness of the Parish, the temporary church was burned.

The following year, Rev. Fr. Juan Giron, O.S.A., supervised the reconstruction of the now famous Church of Barasoain, with a certain Magpayo, the contractor and builder of the church.

Like any other church built during the Spanish era, the edifice was of the church-convento style, a typical portrayal of the Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines and in Spanish-America. At its right is a bell tower, just a few meters higher than the main building.

Symmetry is the predominant theme of the architectural structure of the facade, with balanced formation of arched windows on the sides and two small doors beside the main entrance. To suggest movement, ribbed vaulting had been done in the doors, arched windows and rose window at the middle.