Historic, Old Churches of the Philippines.

 It is only 29 kilometres from our jumping off point at the SM City Mall parking lot in Iloilo to the Church of San Nicholas de Tolentino in Guimbal.

 It’s an easy 40 to 45 minute drive.

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There is some debate as to when the church at Guimbal was actually built. The most authoritative source, The Panublion, has construction staged over some 30 years starting under the guidance of Augustinian Friar Juan Aquado who apparently worked in Guimbal in 1742, 1744 and 1753. Although The Panublion only indicates that construction of the present church was started under Friar Aquado, there is no specific start date. It was, however completed between 1769 and 1774 under the leadership of Friar Juan Campos.

It was further enlarged during 1893 under Friar José Oranguren. Unfortunately, if was destroyed by fire during the Revolution of 1896 to 1898 and it was reconstructed by a group led by Friar Augustine Llorente who also added the current tower.

As with all churches constructed in 18^th and 19^th century Philippines particularly under the guidance of the Augustinian Friars – all construction was carried out using forced labour or ‘folio’.

Friar Llorente built this tower after the 1896 - 1898 Revolution

Southern wall currently under repair

At present, extensive work is being done on restoring the building to its once former glory. This restoration work is said to be being done in a historically accurate fashion to the extent that workers are crushing surplus ‘igang’ blocks and the resultant powder is used as part of the cement mixture used on site. This igang powder and the yellow coloured limestone blocks used in the original construction and the rehabilitation give the church its yellowish/golden hue just like the churches in Tigbauan and Miagao.

 The main entryway is very nice in that the archway is capped with a band of rosettes carved in the limestone which is quite beautiful.

Carved florets adorning the main entranceway of the church

 

The main entrance is flanked by sculpted limestone statues of both San Guillermo andSan José, which have been dated to the original construction of the church.

 

Statue of San José

 

Statue of San Guillermo

 

Upon entering the church you are impressed by its simple, bright airiness. This is unlike many of the churches we have visited.

There is only one aisle, the centre aisle, which looks a lot like it is covered by a woven Turkish or Persian runner. Obviously it isn’t. It is rather an intricate and colourful marble mosaic.

The sanctuary is quite beautiful, as can be seen from this photograph. Made mostly of solid polished marble. The centre crucifix is flanked by statues of Saint Nicholas on the right and of the Blessed Virgin on the left.

the main sanctuary of the church

The Blessed Virgin Mary

San Nicholas de Tolentino

The church is not as big as the previous ones we have seen which were quite majestic in size. This one is built in more of a Spanish Colonial Style, which was predominant in Mexico at the time.  It should be remembered that many of the Augustinians that settled in the region originally served the Augustinian missions in Mexico before being ‘transferred’ to the Philippines.

That is why you see the fusion of construction styles here in Guimbal, a fusion of the Spanish colonial and Chinese styles. The church is much smaller and some say that it is more elegant than the others we have seen.

The exterior of the church is in bad shape and refurbishment work is planned to take place in the next few years. A close look at some of the stone work shows that the work may be needed sooner rather than later…

Side entrance showing needed restoration work

 

Northern wall showing need for extensive rehabilitation work.

 

Another example of additional rehabilitation work needed.

 

In the courtyard adjacent to the church itself, we find the ‘convento’ as well as the new Adoration Centre, which was only recently opened.

 

The adoration centre at the church of San Nicholas de Tolentino

 

San Nicholas de Tolentino

 

San Nicholas de Tolentino was an Augustinian Friar who was assigned by his superiors to Tolentino because of his exceptional fervour in preaching and his generosity with the poor. In his later years the two ‘ruling’ families of Tolentino were in constant strife. He re-established ‘the peace’ by his preaching in the streets and his success in working with the poor.

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