Magallanes Church

Photo credits: http://saintalphonsus.ph/images/about-inside.jpg

Garchitorena, Carla Y.
March 12, 2013
The Critique of Architecture

Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish

The original Magallanes Church was constructed in 1968, and was designed be the National Artist for Architecture, Architect Leandro Locsin. With a perfect square form, the original church was described as modern. It was intimate and low with a ceiling height of just 4 meters (Dominic Galicia). The old structure also had an adoration chapel which was designed by Dominic Galicia. Another interesting feature of the old structure was the Garden of the Way of the Cross which was designed by the National Artist Ildefonso P. Santos (saintalphonsus.ph)

When the old structure was consumed by fire in September 2004, and the only thing left was the original 28 buttresses that served as the base of the old church, they decided to reconstruct around it. Now, the new Magallanes Church proudly stands with a ceiling that rises towards the altar. The highest point of the ceiling reaches up to 28 m. The reconstruction of the church also made the interior brighter and more spacious. With all the reconstruction works, it is clear how it all symbolized rebirth from tragedy and hope despite hardships.

The Roman Catholic Church has always promoted that difficulties in life are only tests of the strength of the people’s faith. The Magallanes Church showed a great deal of faith. They were able to move past the fire and be able to create something so much more beautiful than the original structure.

Furthermore, the reconstruction around the remaining buttresses also symbolized how the community turned their tragedy, the fire, into grace. “The structure, especially the interior, becomes emblematic of redemption, of the new light that comes after darkness, of grace that comes after the tragedy of circumstance.” (saintalphonsus.ph) It is also clear how the reconstruction of the church was an expression of the triumph of hope and faith over quality (Dominic Galicia).

         Personally, the interior of the church gave me a feel of walking a path towards the light. Having soaring ceilings gave a feel of both sacred and refreshing especially since the main entrance was relatively low which was of course on purpose since that was the point of the soaring ceiling it had to start low, much like what the church represents being rebuilt from fire. Other things that were interesting was the alter wall which looked like a burning bush.

Being able to build this magnificent building from what was left of the fire truly is amazing. It perfectly represents a vision of the Roman Catholic Church which good things can come from suffering.

 

References:

“Reconstruction”. Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish. Retrieved 2014, March 11 from:  http://saintalphonsus.ph/aboutus.html

Galicia, Dominic. “Magallanes Church.” Retrieved: 2014, March 11 from http://www.domgalicia.com/

 

-revised assignment