San Agustin Church

Concealed behind the walled city of Intramuros, built by the Spaniards in 1570, is the church of San Agustin. This church is a significant monument to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, being the first religious structure built in the island of Luzon, after the Spanish relocated from Cebu in the south.

Built within the administrative center of the Spanish government, San Agustin church enjoyed privileges not commonly dispensed to most colonial churches. It was built by the Spaniard Juan Macias in 1586 and was completed in 1606. Luciano Oliver later renovated it in 1854. The book Great Churches of the Philippines points out that the church was designed “according to the plans approved by the Royal Audencia of Mexico and by a Royal Cedula.”

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The church pictured below is San Pedro de Alcantara Church in Pakil, Laguna. It was posted to see whether Rolly N. still remembers where he spent his Sunday mornings as a young man in his hometown. He is the declared winner for sending in the first correct entry. As a consolation, I owe EKM a drink for sending her comments. Her long absence from the homeland left her to wonder the present condition of her beloved church. A picture, for her to reminisce, of San Agustin Church is posted sans the 'Wall of Intramuros.'