Church of Paoay, Ilocos Norte - A Cross of Medieval European and Oriental Architecture

Church of Paoay, Ilocos Norte - A Cross of Medieval European and Oriental Architecture

Photographs by Dr Abe V Rotor

The Saint Augustine Church (Spanish: Iglesia de San Agustín de Paoay), commonly known as the Paoay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. It is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993.

 

"Church architecture describes visually the idea of the sacred, which is 

a fundamental need of man." - Mario Botta.

"It is the pleasing of God that is at the heart of worship." - R.C. Sproul.

"The Church is a collection of like-minded people who have made the 

decision to follow Christ. They come together to both give and receive

 support and encouragement from each other." - Daniel Colston.

"May every Church and Christian community be a place of mercy amid

 so much indifference." - Pope Francis.

 Paoay Church is famous because of its historical significance and its baroque architecture. The historical church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses. Portions of the church were damaged by two major earthquakes. In 1973, it was designated as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government. Wikipedia

"The Church is like a great tree whose roots must be energetically

 anchored in the earth while its leaves are serenely exposed to 

the bright sunlight." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.~