St. James the Apostle Parish Church

I hope you don’t get bored with my pictures of churches lately. I simply love churches – the older, the better. During my teenage years, I dreamed of being an altar boy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fulfill that dream. I was a member of Columbian Esquire and Legion of Mary though, up to my college years.

Anyway, back to St. James the Apostle Parish Church. This magnificent old church is located in Plaridel, Bulacan. The marker on the church reads:

Simbahan ng Quingua

(Plaridel, Bulacan)

Ito ang kauna-unahang simbahang itinayo sa lumang bayan ng mga paring Agustino sa pamamahala ni Reb. P. Pedro Vasquez nang mga taong 1580-1595. Inilipat dito sa Kabayanan noong 1605 sa pamamahala ni Reb. P. Diego Pardo. Muling ipinaayos nang taong 1722. Ang kauna-unahang kura parokong Pilipino ay si Reb. P. Victorino Lopez na sumama sa kilusan ng Himagsikan, bilang isang pinuno, sa ilalim ni Kapitan Jose Serapio ng Santa Maria. Ang simbahan at kumbento ay ginawang pagamutang hukbo at kuwartel ng mga Amerikano, 1839.

Again, for the benefits of my foreign readers, specially my Czech friend Honza, I translated it in English:

Church of Quingua

(present-day Plaridel, Bulacan)

This is the first church built in the old town (or old district) by the Augustinian friars led by Rev. Father Pedro Vasquez in the years 1580-1595. It was transferred here in downtown in 1605 by Rev. Father Diego Pardo. It was renovated in 1722. The first Filipino parish priest was Rev. Father Victorino Lopez who joined the Revolution as a leader under Captain Jose Serapio of Santa Maria (town in Bulacan). The church and convent was converted to hospital and barracks by the American soldiers in 1839.

Just across St. James the Apostle Parish Church is the Municipal Hall of Plaridel, Bulacan with a distinct, elevated gazebo and monument to the heroes of World War II (1941-1945).

The municipal hall of Plaridel, Bulacan. The clock is working properly.

St. James the Apostle (Santiago in Spanish) is the patron saint of Spain, blacksmiths, equestrians, horsemen, laborers, soldiers, and veterinarians  as well as patron saint against arthritis.

Quingua is the old name of Plaridel, Bulacan. Plaridel is the pen name of Marcelo H. del Pilar.

St. James the Apostle is on the Rose Window of the church.

St. James the Apostle Parish Church recently celebrated its 410th Foundation Anniversary last September 27. The church was founded in 1602.

Memorial to the heroes of World War II.

The elevated gazebo in front of the municipal hall of Plaridel, Bulacan just across St. James the Apostle Parish Church.

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