After visiting Lumban and Magdalena Church, we headed subsequent to Kalayaan Laguna, notably in Barrio Longos. We visited an outdated church devoted to Saint John the Baptist however not like different church buildings, this one is located removed from the city plaza. To present you some information, when the Spanish arrived within the Philippines, they adopted this coverage referred to as “reduccion“. Right here, they construct a so-called “Poblacion” or settlement to ask individuals from far-flung barangays to maneuver into the central city or the “cabecera”, permitting them to evangelize simply and to guard themselves from natives. It additionally permits them to gather taxes comparatively simpler. Throughout the cabecera, they construct the brand new church together with the city corridor or the “Ayuntamiento“. This explains why most church buildings within the nation is at all times located close to the city corridor or the city plaza.
In case of Longos Church, nevertheless, it’s located removed from the city plaza. The city of Kalayaan, Laguna is comparatively small composed of three barangays; Longos (previously referred to as Babaye), San Antonio (previously referred to as San Pablo), and San Juan (previously referred to as Abacao). Longos was the outdated capital city of Kalayaan which explains why the church was based in that barrio. It was till 1946 when former President Manuel Roxas ordered the switch of the seat of presidency from Longos to San Juan. A more moderen church was in-built San Juan.
The convent and its some components was later destroyed by an earthquake. Even some ecclesiastical treasures have been misplaced when the time goes by. And there have been some artifacts that could possibly be present in San Agustin Museum in Manila. When the parish misplaced its church standing, it was sadly uncared for and deserted for 4 a long time. So as to add extra to the harm, the church suffered one other devastating loss when it was broken by a hurricane in 1995.
It was reconstructed and completed on December 16, 1995, when the primary simbang gabi was held. On February 13, 1996, Bishop Francisco San Diego order decreed of canonical erection of the Parish of San Juan Bautista. In 2006, nevertheless, the church’s roof was destroyed by Storm Milenyo.
Structure-wise, San Juan Bautista Parish incorporates a basic Baroque model. The primary entrance used to have a porch. It comes with a easy but very outdated façade with a bricked belltower on the left facet. Sitting in entrance of the church is an outdated fountain. The middle of the façade is a distinct segment that enshrines a statue picture of Saint John the Baptist. Positioned on each side are stained glass home windows with pictures depicting the picture of Our Girl of Peace or Nuestra Senora de la Paz (the second patron of Longos) and the picture of the Baptism of Jesus. There may be additionally a small rose window on its pediment.
The metal cross on high of the church pediment
The Outdated Bell tower of Longos church
A picture of San Juan Bautista discovered on high of church’s predominant gate
The inside of the church is equally mesmerizing. Whereas the roofs are clearly newly changed, you’ll be able to nonetheless see the outdated unique construction of the church.
The very first thing you’ll discover upon getting into the church are these metal beams holding a big incense burner referred to as “Botafumeiro”
The beams comprise the Benedictus or the Music of Zechariah in Latin
One of many church’s uncommon characteristic is that this Large incense burner referred to as Botafumeiro and solely few of this burners within the nation are nonetheless functioning. The Botafumeiro (Galician for “smoke expeller”) is a well-known thurible discovered within the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. Incense is burned on this swinging metallic container, or “censer”. It’s suspended from a pulley mechanism within the ceiling on the roof of a church. Fortunately, we should not have to go to Spain to expertise this. This totally functioning Botafumeiro is usually getting used for particular events particularly through the Feast of Saint John The Baptist and different patrons.
The primary altar consists of three retablos.
The 2-layer predominant retablo enshrines the picture of Nuestra Senora de la Paz (Our Girl of Peace) on its heart and the picture of Saint John the Baptist above.
The picture of Nuestra Senora de la Paz of Longos Church
The picture of Saint John the Baptist of Longos Church
A superbly ornate tabernacle of Longos church sitting in entrance of the principle altar
If that’s not lovely sufficient, the Longos church additionally homes a big and multiple-layer “Custodia” for the Blessed Sacrament. They typically use this through the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi
One of many facet altars enshrines the picture of San Pedro Bautista, a martyrs saint who was as soon as assigned right here within the nation. He was the one behind the development of San Sebastian Parish in Lumban. Whereas a lot of the church’s information have been lacking, it’s mentioned that San Pedro Bautista can also be the one who based Longos Church.
Beneath San Pedro Bautista’s altar is a really fascinating piece of relic. It options rocks which can be mentioned to be discovered on the positioning the place the Visitation befell.
Sitting in entrance of the altar is one other relic. It’s a relic of San Pedro Bautista not too long ago given by the Basilica Minore de San Pedro Bautista from Quezon Metropolis.
The opposite facet altar enshrines the pictures of Saint Joseph the employee and the younger Jesus
Beneath it’s one other particular relic. These are rocks which can be mentioned to be discovered from the workshop of Saint Joseph
You may also spot an vintage bas aid of Saint John The Baptist within the facet of the church.
There’s additionally one other one within the Baptistry depicting the baptism of the Lord
Outdated work on the facet of the church
A portray with the picture of saint John The Evangelist
You may also spot a bust statue of Saint Blaise oddly positioned in one of many partitions.
Jesus Nazareno
A portray of San Sebastian
Santo Cristo
Mater Dolorosa
In one of many small chapels within the church, you’ll discover a picture of Santa Filomena
A relic of Santa Filomena
This submit additionally concludes my Laguna Pilgrimage sequence 2022: Be happy to test the remainder of my entries right here:
Additionally be at liberty to go to my articles about these Laguna church buildings
Locations to go to in Laguna