Canonically known as St Augustine
Church, Paoay Church is of the four baroque churches in the Philippines
designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1993. The other three are San Agustin Church in
Manila; Miag-Ao Church (Sto Tomas de Villanueva Church ) in Iloilo; and La
Asuncion de Nuestra Senora Church in Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur.
Construction by the Augustinian
Friars started in 1694 and completed in 1710 using coral
stones and bricks. It is an example of earthquake baroque
architecture -- Philippine
interpretation of the European Baroque adapted to the seismic condition of the
country. The location of the Philippines in the Pacific Rim of Fire called
for the emphasis on buttresses – architectural
structures built against a wall which serve to support or reinforce the wall. The
most imposing of buttresses in Philippine churches are found in Paoay Church
which was damaged during the earthquakes in 1865 and 1885.
During the FIl-Spanish war in the
1800’s, the bell tower served as an observation post for Filipino guerrillas.
We
were welcomed by Parish Priest Rev Fr Earl
John Domingo, who proudly told us that because of Paoay Church and their other
ancient churches, historical and tourist spots particularly Calle Crisologo and
Pagudpod, Ilocos Region now ranks number two as the region most visited by tourists, second to Camsur.
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| REV. FR. EARL JOHN DOMINGO |
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| MORNING PRAYER |
At the adjacent office and reception
building, we had a taste of the native breakfast prepared and served by the
parishioners.
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| BREAKFAST |
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