San Bartolome Church (Malabon)

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San Bartolome Parish Church, commonly known as Malabon Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in San Agustin, Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines. The church's titular is Malabon's patron saint, Saint Bartholomew the Apostle whose feast day falls on every 24th day of August. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Kalookan.

Malabon Church
San Bartolome Parish Church
  • Iglesia de San Bartolome de Malabon (Spanish)
  • Simbahan ng San Bartolome (Filipino)
Church facade in 2020
Malabon Church is located in Metro Manila
Malabon Church
Malabon Church
Location in Metro Manila
Malabon Church is located in Luzon
Malabon Church
Malabon Church
Location in Luzon
Malabon Church is located in Philippines
Malabon Church
Malabon Church
Location in the Philippines
14°39′32″N 120°57′05″E / 14.658882°N 120.951412°E / 14.658882; 120.951412
LocationMalabon, Metro Manila
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusParish church
FoundedMay 21, 1599 (1599-05-21)
DedicationSt. Bartholomew the Apostle
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch building
StyleNeoclassical
Specifications
Length70.14 meters (230.1 ft)[1]
Width25.05 meters (82.2 ft)[1]
Administration
ProvinceManila
DioceseKalookan
Clergy
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. Elpidio A. Erlano Jr.
Assistant priest(s)Rev. Fr. Ofero Stephen M. Balana & Rev. Fr. Phillippe Angelo G. Garcia

History

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Church NHC historical marker installed in 2015

A former visita of Tondo, Malabon was founded on May 21, 1599. On May 17, 1614, it became an independent parish, with Padre Luis Gutierrez as vicar prior.[2] When Padre Diego de Robles became prior of Malabon in 1621, he began the construction of the first stone church a year after.[citation needed]

The construction was gradual as additions were made by succeeding priests. The transept was added in 1835 under Padre Francisco Valencia. The two lateral aisles together with the media naranja dome were added when Padre Raimundo Cueto assumed the post of minister of Malabon in 1854. This was done in collaboration with architects Vina and Urquiza. In 1861, construction of the Parthenon-like facade and the twin towers began under the direction of Luciano Oliver and supervision of parish priest Padre Martin Ruiz.[1]

During World War II, San Bartolome Church suffered heavy damages and restoration began only in 1951 under the secular priest Father Trinidad. In 1958, Father Reyes took on the task of repairing the dome, transept, main altar, and the belfry.

San Bartolome Church now has seven bells, two of which are dedicated to Santa Rita and one to San Bartolome. One bell has Father Guillermo Diaz's name inscribed on it. Father Diaz, OSA, was minister of Tambobong from 1881 to 1885.

In celebration of the church's 400th anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a limited edition stamp designed by Victorino Serevo. The stamp measures 80mm by 30mm and bears the image of St. Bartholome alongside the old Malabon Church.[3]

Architecture

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San Bartolome Church's protruding triangular pediment, supported by the colonnade of the facade, bears the Augustinian symbol and the year 1861. The facade features eight imposing Ionic columns reminiscent of a Greco-Roman temple. Measuring 70.14 meters (230.1 ft) by 25.05 meters (82.2 ft), the church has a central nave and two aisles, transept, and a dome in the media naranja or barrel vault style which is cupped by a campanile.

The main entrance to the church is a Jubilee door decorated with wood carvings. Numerous paintings framed with gold leaf line the church ceiling.[4]

A simple yet elegant retablo can be found in the sanctuary where the image of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle is surrounded by the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary above, the tabernacle below, and St. Augustine and St. Nicholas de Tolentine on both sides.[4]

The writer I.V. Mallari, a native of Malabon, writes that the church is "one of the most beautiful examples of ecclesiastical architecture that Spain has left this country."'[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Azores, Paricia (May 4, 2014). "San Bartolome: A history in stone". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Macairan, Evelyn (May 18, 2014). "One of Phl's oldest churches featured in commemorative stamp". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Malabon Church stamp marks 400th anniversary". CBCP News. May 20, 2014. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ a b Sibug, Joemar (May 25, 2014). "San Bartolome Parish de Malabon @400". Davao Catholic Herald. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
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