Baroque Churches of the Philippines: The Religious

Grandeur Preserved Through Times

As a country teeming with Catholics, Baroque Churches of the Philippines play a

significant part in Filipino culture. Over 80% of the country’s population is Roman Catholic
so it’s no surprise at all to see churches in almost every barangay in the Philippines.

Since the Spaniards first introduced Christianity to the Filipinos in the 16th century, many
Philippine churches with baroque designs have been built all over the country as part of
the colonizers’ mission to spread the religion. Some of these churches still stand to this
day and have become among the top tourist spots.

Four Baroque Churches of the Philippines have been declared by UNESCO as World
Heritage Sites. These churches are now important markers of Filipino history.

Baroque Churches of the Philippines

List of the baroque and old churches in the Philippines:

1. Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao, Iloilo

2. Church of San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

3. San Agustin Church in Manila in Intramuros, Manila

4. Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

5. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati

6. Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church (Malate Church) in Malate, Manila

7. Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal

8. Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis, Pampanga

1. Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Miag-ao, Iloilo

One of the Philippine churches with baroque design is the church of Santo Tomas de
Villanueva in Iloilo. It is among the best examples of the “fortress baroque” style in the
country. Built of local yellow-orange sandstone, this baroque church stands on the highest
elevation of the town and was completed in 1797. The church withstood typhoons and
earthquakes and was burned twice: the first was during the revolution against Spain in
1898 and the second was during the Philippine-American War.

And did you know that Filipino master carvers incised this Philippines church’s entire
surface? The church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva is one of the best examples of the
fusion of the western Baroque style embellished with Filipino folk motifs.
2. Church of San Agustin in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

In the far north of the Philippines stands a heritage site amid sprawling green lawn and
brick walkways. Also known as Paoay Church, this church in Philippines is popular for its
24 extravagant coral-block buttresses and ornate stone finials. While Paoay Church’s
construction began in 1604 and was completed in 1710, its coral stone bell tower,
standing at some distance from the church, was finished in the second half of the 18th
century. In the Philippines, bell towers were intended to be constructed at a distance from
the main church structure to avoid its falling on the church during earthquakes.

The Baroque architecture in the Philippines was designed to protect structures from
calamities especially earthquakes. The architecture is known as “Earthquake Baroque”
and Paoay Church is one of the most notable “earthquake baroque” structures in the
country.

Being one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, Paoay Church has
become a top tourist destination in the region.
3. San Agustin Church in Manila in Intramuros, Manila

Like the other baroque churches of the Philippines, San Agustin Church in Manila exhibits
its remarkable features such as retablos (altars) of high Baroque style and wall buttresses
separating cripto collateral chapels. What makes this Philippines church unique is its
ceiling paintings in the tromp l’oeil style.

The San Agustin Church, built between 1587 and 1606, is considered the longest-
standing and oldest church in the Philippines. The church was the only structure left intact
in Intramuros during World War II. This is also the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in
Manila.
4. Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

One of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines that’s also recognized by UNESCO as
a World Heritage Site is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion in Ilocos Sur.

Built in 1765, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion exhibits a monumental brick
facade and reinforced walls to protect it against earthquakes. Its appearance evokes a
Mediterranean hill town, the only example of such in the Philippines.

The key features of this baroque church in the Philippines include an 85-step stairway
that leads to a carving of the Virgin Mary atop a tree, and a bell tower which was added
in 1810. The power and simplicity of its geometric forms, and its location, make this an
outstanding example of Peripheral Baroque architecture.
5. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati

In the middle of Makati’s skyscrapers and commercial establishments is this old church
with Renaissance and Baroque architecture in Philippines. Its facade is simple but striking
boasting its arched entrance, columns, and a rose window.

This 400-year old church in the Philippines was constructed in 1629, though parts of it
were later rebuilt. Its roof collapsed from an earthquake in 1882, and parts of it were
burned in 1898 during a fight between Filipinos and Americans. And even after World
War II, its walls remained standing. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church was reconstructed
and re-opened to the public again in 1983. Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in
Guadalupe Viejo, Makati is definitely among the most beautiful heritage churches in the
Philippines.
6. Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church (Malate Church) in Malate,
Manila

Malate Church, one of the heritage churches in the Philippines, has the usual Baroque
design of arches and columns. And from a bird’s eye view, the rooftop of Malate Church
forms the shape of a cross.
Technically, Malate Church is more than 400 years old as it was built in 1588. But after it was
destroyed by an earthquake and typhoon, it was rebuilt in 1864. Malate Church was also
greatly damaged by fires during World War II, making it one of the most historical churches
in the Philippines.
7. Parish Church of San Ildefonso in Tanay, Rizal

Built in the 18th century by the Franciscans, the Parish Church of San Ildefonso’s interior is
rich, with five beautiful examples of rococo-influenced retablos. On the walls are the panels
of the Via Crucis, celebrated because of the way in which they were indigenized through
perspective, proportion, and other details–one of the characters even wears glasses.
8. Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis, Pampanga

The Parish Church of Santiago Apostol in Betis, Pampanga boasts of the ceiling paintings
from the early 20th century and the most beautiful retablo in Central Luzon. The wooden
floor is well-maintained and adds to the ambience. The original wooden furnishings are
still in the sacristy and in the convento.
Q: What is a baroque architecture?

A: Baroque architecture is a highly decorative and theatrical style that appeared in Italy in
the early 17th century and gradually spread across Europe. Other characteristic qualities
of baroque architecture include grandeur, drama, and contrast (especially in lighting),
curvaceousness, and an often-dizzying array of rich surface treatments, twisting
elements, and gilded statuary. Architects unabashedly applied bright colors and illusory,
vividly painted ceilings.

Q: What are the characteristics of the churches that you choose to consider and
classify as baroque?

A: Some of the qualities most frequently associated with Baroque architecture are
grandeur, sensuous richness, drama, dynamism, movement, tension, emotional
exuberance, and a tendency to blur distinctions between the various arts.

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