The GRANDEUR of GUIMBAL CHURCH.

I was privileged to roam around the Province of Iloilo and been able to see different places there. One of the Place I visited was the Municipality of Guimbal.

THE FACADE OF GUIMBAL CHURCH

Guimbal was annexed as a visita of Oton in 1575. In 1590 it became an independent doctrina (mission) but in 1618 was handed over to the secular clergy for lack of Augustinian friars. In 1626, Guimbal returned to the administration of the Augustinians who appointed Fr. Pedro Ramirez as vicar-prior. In 1656, Guimbal was placed under Tigbauan. Guimbal was affected by the jurisdictional conflict between the Jesuits and the Augustinians. The former was working to convert the Mundos who lived in the upland but within the boundaries of Guimbal. Miagao was annexed to Guimbal in 1703. The conflict between the Jesuits and the Augustinians was resolved in 1751. Fr. Juan Aguado who worked in Guimbal in 1742, 44 and 53 began building the present church and Fr. Juan Campos finished it between 1769-74. Fr. José Oranguren enlarged the church in 1893, but two years later the church was burnt. Fr. Agustín Llorente restored the church and built the tower. The church is presently under going renovation, the cement and stucco finish of the church is being removed revealing stonework made of yellow sandstone similar to the type used in Tigbauan and Miagao.

Guimbal Church is a rather squat structure, made even more so by raising the level of the street. The façade with the wide base of the bell tower makes the whole structure appear wide rather than it is tall. The bell tower is made of three unadorned quadrilateral structures of diminishing sizes with arched windows piercing the walls. The façade is divided horizontally into two stories by a frieze decorated by rosettes and vertically by engaged columns. Twin columns resting on plinths flank the central section. Composite capitals crown the columns. A narrow pediment terminating in a cross caps the central section from which a shallow curve links the pediment with the lower story. Vases and pyramid finals decorate the façade. The Guimbal Church is one of the oldest churches in the country. This yellow sandstone church is made made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones quarried from Guimaras. It was built in 1774 by Father Campos. The façade is a two-story affair flanked by twinned round pilasters decorated with floral carvings. Its vintage belfry is 4 stories high and doubles as a watchtower during the Spanish town against pillaging Moro pirates. The Guimbal Church is located beside the Guimbal Plaza.