The Church of St. Agustine, Baliwag, Bulacan

One of the important landmarks of the Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan is the old Church of San Agustin at the Barangay Poblacion. The Church is dedicated to San Agustin, the patron saint of the town, and was founded in 1733.

The church architecture is predominantly Baroque with Doric and Corinthian columns at the facade. Baroque features still dominate the church's interior. The outlandish Ionic columns were later added to support the roofs. The church has had been renovated, repaired and repainted several times since its founding.

On its high altars are the images of San Agustin de Baliuag and Santa Monica de Baliuag, the main patrons of the town.

Some Historical Notes

Despite the oldness of the present church, the edifice was not original. The original church and convent were destroyed during a powerful earthquake on June 3, 1863.

How did the original stone church look?

Augustinian Missionary priest and traveler, Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga, who visited Baliuag, Bulacan on February 12, 1802, wrote:

The convent or parochial house, is without doubt, the best in all the Islands. It is newly-constructed, made not in the fashion of convents in the Philippines, but that of the Spanish houses in Manila. If the solid walls, the neatness of all its parts, and the dimension and symmetrical arrangement are considered, I believe no edifice in all of Manila can compare to it. The church is also built of mortar and stone but somewhat low, and the tower, besides being poorly done, was deteriorating...

The Renovations and Restorations

Since 1870, renovations had been made from generation to generation sponsored by affluent families and active citizens of Baliwag, Bulacan. This made the church construction continuous rather than made in one discharge. This accumulation of changes across the centuries made the church complex architecturally vibrant. The portico leading to the main door of the church was added in 1972 courtesy of Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1972 headed by IGG. Danilo D. Gonzales. The outlandish cubist image of Moses holding the tablets containing the biblical Ten Commandments was embossed on the front walls of the belfry in 1982 courtesy of Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1979 headed by IGG. Anghel Galang.

Renovations done in the 1980's made the church looked very modern. This drew bittersweet longing among Baliwageños for the church's old look. Thus, in 1993, the church was literally peeled off its added layers and restored back to its old Spanish look. The restoration was done through the efforts of Ms. Teresa S. Rodriguez, President, Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1993.

In late 2000, the church convent was also renovated to complement the appearance of the restored church. The renovation was designed by Randi Reyes. The convent was inaugurated and blessed on January 12, 2001. Msgr. Feliciano M. Palma, Jr., was the parish priest from 1988-2000.

"Some twenty years (20) years ago," explained Dr. Emiterio L. Tiburcio, a senior Baliwag resident, "when the roofs were renovated, the Ionic columns of the were added to support the rafters." As observed, the Greek columns seemed to be out of place but are absolutely necessary.

San Jose is one of the important saints in Baliwag, Bulacan. A barangay was named after him. 

A view of the church's interior. 

Workers repainted the Ionic columns of the church's interior.

New additions include stained glass decorations.

An image of the crucified Christ.

San Miguel is one of the most important saint in Bulacan. His name is everywhere. A town, barangay and even bridges were named after him. 

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:1-3).

The side doors show strong Romanesque elements.