Immaculate Conception Church (Guagua)

Immaculate Conception Parish Church, commonly known as Guagua Church, is a 17th-century Baroque church located at Brgy. Plaza Burgos, Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines. It is under the care of the Immaculate Conception parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando. In 1982, a historical marker bearing the brief history of the church was installed on the facade by the church by the National Historical Committee, precursor of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

History

Historical records indicate that by May 17, 1590, the convent of Guagua has been established by the Augustinian Friars, with Father Bernardino de Quevedo and Father Juan de Zabala as resident priests. Its first titular patron is the Nativity of Our Lady. The construction of the present-day church structures would have been started in 1641, when the convent of Guagua was relieved of paying its rent to San Agustin Monastery in Manila. Such exemption from dues has been attributed to the monetary need of the parochial leaders in supervising the building of a parochial building. Father Jose Duque, a prolific church builder, was assigned parish priest of Guagua in 1661. The present church is attributed to him. Father Duque is said to have been influential in the pacification of Kapampangan rebels in 1660. Another notable figure in the history of the church of Guagua is Father Manuel Carrillo. Father Carrillo, during his term as parish priest around 1762, signed a loan covering some of the properties of the local convent for the renovations of the church. The current stone convent is attributed as one of his works. Several significant improvements in the church structure followed. In 1862, Father Antonio Bravo had the church interiors painted while in 1886, Father Paulino Fernandez installed the church dome. It was also during the late 19th century that Doña Carmen Macau had an organ installed in the church, an organ that was once dubbed as the best in Pampanga. In the 1990s, the stone convent was razed by fire.

Architecture

The present brick and stone church is Barn-style Baroque architecture, typically seen in many Spanish-era churches in the Philippines. The facade has two levels topped with a pediment bearing volutes that contrast with the slender columns. Specially notable about the embellishments on the facade are embossed shells found at the base of the pediment and plant motifs found in the ''retablo'' on the pediment. Attached to the right of the church is a 5-level octagonal bell tower. The church measures long, wide and high and is built in a cruciform manner.

Gallery

File:Guagua Church Interior, Pampanga, Jun 2024.jpg, Church interior in 2024
File:JC Guagua 18.jpg, Plant embellishments found on the pediment
File:JC Guagua 15.jpg, Details of the window and columns
File:JC Guagua 12.jpg, Back view of the belfry
File:JC Guagua 11.jpg, Wall composed of stone and bricks in alternating layers
File:JC Guagua 7.jpg, Main door with prominent shell motifs
File:JC Guagua 16.jpg, Marian emblem atop the main doorway
File:JC Guagua 10.jpg, Niches found at the side wall
File:JC Guagua 8.jpg, Holy water font
File:JC Guagua 14.jpg, Side view of the belfry
File:JC Guagua 5.jpg, Details of the window border
File:JC Guagua 17.jpg, Finials capping the slender columns of the facade
File:JC Guagua 13.jpg, Steel dome
File:JC Guagua 9.jpg, Main bell or

References

External links

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{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando

Roman Catholic churches in Pampanga
Baroque church buildings in the Philippines
Churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando
Jubilee churches in the Philippines