I first visited the Church of Lubao, Pampanga in 2016 with my photography friend Buboy during a 1 day Visita Iglesia in Pampanga. It’s one of the 7 churches we visited that day. It’s only now that I’m posting my pictures of this amazing brick church. The markers on the façade of the church is enough to know the history of this church.
The 1st marker on the façade of the Church of Lubao reads:
On the 440th Anniversary of the Introduction of the Christian Faith to the People of Lubao and to the Kapampangan (1572-2012)
440 years ago, Calced Augustinian Missionaries (O.S.A.) introduced the Christian Faith to the inhabitants of Lubao and to the Kapampangan People.
The annals of the Augustinian province of the Holy Name of Jesus in the Philippines (Libro de Govierno) indicate the Parish of Saint Augustine here in Lubao, as the oldest foundation in the Province of Pampanga when it was accepted as a convent during the chapter of May 3, 1572.
The People of Lubao Readily accepted the gift of faith and thus opened the seeds of Christianization in the nearby towns and in the rest of Pampanga.
This year also marks the auspicious arrival of the relics of Saint Augustine and Saint Monica given by the Postulator General and the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine in Rome.
With utmost celebration and thanksgiving to Almighty God for the gift of faith, the people of Lubao renew their commitment to keep and pass it on to the next generations.
On the 5th of May in the year of our Lord 2012 and in Seventh Year of the Pontificate of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
Rev. Fr. Nolasco L. Fernandez
Parish Priest Mayor
Augustine Parish Church, Lubao Pampanga
Most Rev. Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D.
Roman Catholic Archbishop
Archdiocese of San Fernandeo, Pampanga
Hon. Mylyn G. Pineda-Cayabyab
Mayor
Municipality of Lubao, Pampanga
Hon. Lilia G. Pineda
Governor
Province of Pampanga
The 2nd marker on the façade of the church is from the Philippines Historical Committee (1952) reads:
Church of Lubao
Founded 1572 in Barrio Santa Catalina. Moved to this site thirty years later due to yearly floods. Architect Fr. Antonio Herrera, Augustinian, constructed this church, 1614-1630, out of locally-made brick and sand mixed in egg albumen contributed by the people of Lubao. Occupied 1898 by the revolutionists. Used as hospital 1899 by American forces. Destroyed 1942 by Japanese shelling. Repaired 1949-1952, under the direction of Fr. Melencio Garcia and other priests.
You can also find a 3rd marker and historical data on President Diosdado Macapagal on the façade of the church that reads:
Diosdado Pangan Macapagal
Fifth President, Republic of the Philippines (1961-1965) and president, 1971 Constitutional Convention, also lawyer doctor of laws doctor of economics educator, diplomat, congressman and Vice-President of the Philippines. Born in Lubao, Pampanga, Sept 28, 1910, was baptized in this church, Oct 12, 1910 by Fr. Francisco de la Banda, of parents Urbano and Romana (midwife: Escolastica Romero), sponsor: Angel Javier, book 32, page 98, entry 4 – Fr. Pedro Diez, Parish Priest. This marker placed by Rev. Fr Gregorio P. Binuya II, Parish Priest on President Macapagal’s 72nd baptismal year for… (unreadable).
I hope to upload the rest of the 6 churches we visited that they. It’s been buried deep in my hard drive.
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