March 14, 2010

Third generation

The history of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church dates back to 1894 when the Spanish Vice-Royal Patron of the Philippines issued a Royal Decree establishing the parish of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist). In 1896, the church was designed and constructed by architect Luis Arellano. It was damaged during the Philippine-American War at the turn of the 20th century but was restored soon after. In 1951, the church was expanded under the direction of architect Otilio Arellano, a grandson of Luis, who kept the original nave and facade. Most Manila residents know the church better as Pinaglabanan Church, after the street in San Juan City where it is located. The two figures flanking the doorway are San Pedro (Saint Peter) and San Pablo (Saint Paul).

Pinaglabanan Church

20 comments:

Tussy said...

Beautiful!

Skywatch Friday
Sunshine Award

Anonymous said...

Bright and white, offering probably more than hope.
Trust.
Please have a wonderful Sunday.

Lowell said...

I like it; very simple and clean design.

Louis la Vache said...

Very much in the Spanish style - it reminds «Louis» of the Spanish Mission Chain that ran from the Mexican border to Sonoma, just north of San Francisco.

«Louis» has been thinking about doing a series on the mission chain. Your post is further inspiration.

Don and Krise said...

So symetrical. I really like this.

iAmAFilo said...

hi hilda,, ive been viewing your blog since january of this year and it seems to me that you are very fascinated by the history of manila.. have you been roaming around intramuros i hope you get a glimpse of the ayuntamiento its under reconstruction right now and accdg to the intramuros admin.. the reconstruction will be finished by the end of 2011.. its a great news for heritage concern citizens and history buffs.. and it will cost the treasury department a billion peso not bad if restoring the most beautiful building during the spanish and american occupation after all the spaniards spent 152,241 pesos building it a big chuink of money i guess during that time... have a nice day

BDP said...

Glad to know the history of this church. Happy Sunday!

Unseen Rajasthan said...

Simply beautiful and awesome !!

Cezar and Léia said...

Beautiful! Will you show us some of the inside?
God bless you!
Cezar

Living In Williamsburg Virginia said...

Magnificent looking Church- just beautiful!
Darryl and Ruth : )

arabesque said...

beautiful! now this is one church i haven't visited yet! in san juan you say?! ^0^

escape said...

i believe i havent been to that church. ive heard of pinaglabanan but until now i dont where it is.

Kaori said...

Beautiful building! It looks old, but considering it's been standing there for over 100 years, it looks good :D

VP said...

The story of this church is amazing, with different generations of the same family taking care of it. The local name of the church is really fascinating!

Ilse said...

Imagine travelling all the way to Manila to find Spanish architecture?

Laurie Allee said...

Like Ilse, I was surprised by the Spanish architecture! What a lovely image.

Halcyon said...

I like this church. Very pretty!

Dina said...

So nice to have architects down through the generations of that family.

George said...

What a beautiful building.

ruma said...

Hello.
The sun brightness is a warm impression...

Thank you for showing a sign of beautiful spring.

Happy weekend.

From the Far East.
Best regards.
ruma