The San Agustin Parish Church, also known as the Lubao Church, is a 17th-century Neo-classic, Spanish stone and brick church located at Brgy. San Nicolas 1st, Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines. It is one of the oldest and most important churches in the province and is a popular tourist destination.
The church was founded in 1572 by the Augustinian friars, and was originally located in Barrio Santa Catalina. However, it was moved to its current site in 1597 due to flooding. The church was built using locally-made brick and sand mixed in egg albumen, and was completed in 1630.
The church has a simple but elegant design. The facade is adorned with two towers, and the main entrance is topped by a pediment with a relief of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The interior of the church is spacious and well-lit, and is decorated with a number of religious paintings and sculptures.
The church has been damaged several times by earthquakes and floods but has always been repaired. In 1898, the church was occupied by the Philippine revolutionaries during the Philippine-American War. In 1899, it was used as a hospital by the American forces. And in 1942, it was destroyed by Japanese shelling during World War II.
The church was repaired and restored in the years following the war, and was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1952. In 2013, it was also declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines.
The San Agustin Parish Church is a valuable historical and cultural asset of Lubao, Pampanga. It is a reminder of the rich religious and cultural heritage of the province, and is a popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners alike.
Here are some interesting facts about the San Agustin Parish Church:
* The church is dedicated to Saint Augustine, the patron saint of the Augustinian friars.
* The church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, and is one of the few that survived the Spanish colonial period.
* The church has been damaged several times by earthquakes and floods, but has always been repaired.
* The church is a popular tourist destination, and is visited by thousands of people each year.
If you are ever in Lubao, Pampanga, be sure to visit the San Agustin Parish Church. It is a beautiful and historic church that is sure to impress you.
