24th of May 2014
I was imagining the faces of Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara stealing glances with each other at the church patio while the “Guardia Civil” are scattered all over the church yard watching the simply dressed “indio”. Horses hooves can be heard approaching holding the reigns are the “konstable”. “Donyas” in thick “colorete” fanning profusely under their ruffled umbrellas hurrying to be inside the church to avoid the blazing heat of the sun.
Someone called my name and I was jolted back to reality! I found myself under the blazing heat of the sun wearing jeans and flip flops and holding a camera to document this unbelievably old-looking structure.
I looked at the direction where my name was called and found hubby gesturing me to move a little closer to the structure while taking this photo from another camera and a mobile phone.
That call from hubby confirmed that I was in the modern time. It was during the lent of the year 2012 and I was doing my Vicita Iglesia at Bulacan (Philippines) area when we chanced upon this church. I was really flabbergasted when I had my first glimpse of this structure. I remained just standing there speechless and mouth agape while appreciating the beauty of it. It is so old and yet so beautiful.
The church structure is a story itself. I was not surprised at all when I found about the the rich history behind it when I did my research back home.
I will let you read by yourself about the history of this church but I can’t help but to particularly mention a part that really amused me. The acacia tree that is planted in front of the church yard and seen on these photos plays a huge part on its history. According to records, the late President Manuel L. Quezon played under this acacia tree during his childhood days. Wow!
The front façade alone made me speechless, What more when I saw the inner structure? I don’t exactly know how to describe the architecture and art of this church so I am again letting you to read by yourself through the link that I provided.
What I can share to you are the photographs that I took.
I saw some renovation and re-painting was on-going during my visit. I just hope that it was being done by heritage experts. It’s a pity to lose the original structure and design of this church.
~***~
Written on the church marker is:
The first church was destroyed by a typhoon in 1588. The construction of the present church was started shortly after 1628. The town was moved from Lagolo to the present site. Rev. Franscisco Cascueña, O.F.M, who built the belfry in 1600, preached the gospel in China for six years, and on being exiled from that kingdom out of opposition to his religious teachings, returned to Meycauayan. He served this parish for 31 years and died here on November 18, 1831. The convent was built from 1731 to 1759. Both convent and church were seriously damaged by the typhoon of 1882.
For the rest of the history about this church you may read it from here.
Im not a huge religion fan but im always blown away by old churches. Btw, is your invitation for guest bloggers still up for grab?
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is Wow!
ReplyDeleteThe murals on that church was unbelievable :)
ReplyDeleteYou should have imagined me Balut, people say I look like Maria Clara in my younger days hahahaha :)
When you said renovate amd re-painting, i hope it's not putting something new while ignorantly erasing the past. That's how they destroyed many times our historical heritage.
ReplyDeleteThe colors of the murals are very much alive and the church is really impressive.
Quezon was mentioned here. Can't stop thinking of the word 'puñeta' when I hear his name. That's his favorite curse word. Hahaha! Wala lang! Basag trip!