Comparative analysis of ecclesiasticla churches of four religious orders in Metro Manila / by Yehemia S. Bermejo and Maria Elena S. Mirador.

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Architecture) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR)

BERMEJO, YEHEMIA S., MIRADOR, MARIA ELENA S. Comparative Analysis of Ecclesiastical Churches of Four Religious Orders in Metro Manila. Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. April 2018. Adviser: Arch't. Elda Magna G. Libut.

The study conducted from August 2017 to March 2018 in various places in Metro Manila, namely; Intramuros, Tondo, Guadalupe, Makati City, Quiapo, San Miguel, Sta. Ana, Sta. Cruz, Binondo, and San Juan,to compare the architectural styles of the ecclesiastical churches made under the supervision of the four religious orders. Specifically, the study aimed to: 1.) identify and analyze the specific features, architectural elements and architectural styles used by the Augustinian, Franciscan, Dominican and the Jesuit orders; 2.) distinguish, compare and analyze the common and uncommon features present in each ecclesiastical structure under each religious order supervision; 3.) emphasize the uniqueness and comparative features used by each religious order; and 4.) illustrate the architectural characters of Augustinian, Franciscan,Dominican and Jesuit churches. Descriptive research and comparative analysis were used in the study. Church selection, ocular inspections and field visits and the analysis of each churches and illustrations were done to gather pertinent and definite data. Among the many churches in Metro Manila only those that were built within the 16th to 20th century was chosen that were under the supervision of the four religious orders namely, the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits and the Dominicans. The façade of the Augustinian churches was mainly Renaissance in style and their bell towers were mostly square in shape. While their interiors have either a semi-circular arches or segmented ceilings and some having detailed trompe roe is. They also have linear type choir lofts and as for the floor plans, they followed the Latin cross shape. The Franciscans have the combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles on their facades and square-based bell towers gradually rising into an octagonal shape. A variation of segmented and depressed ceilings and a u-shaped choir loft and the same Latin cross plan can be observed inside their churches. Then the Jesuits, they have Baroque style facades on most of their churches and a unique way of having bell towers that were sometimes above the church itself. Inside, they have depressed ceilings on most of their churches, a straight choir loft and the Latin cross plan patterns. Lastly, the Dominicans, they adapted the eclectic style that was adapted to every church they had built, and all can be observed with the octagonal shapes of bell towers. The interiors have in any of the segmental, straight or triangular ceilings and, mostly, also have a straight choir loft and were unique for it was the only order who’s having most of their churches in a linear plan pattern.

These four orders have their own identity that can be observed. They have attempted to create a church of their own but due to some factors, some of their churches were different from the others. For example, there was the time they built their structures where they adapted few of the styles that were contemporary. Another was they were given a lot and allotted to build a church, but the lot was too small to be accommodated by a church. And lastly, the functionality can be a factor to where it should be built.

This study will have a better result if these will be done through studying each religious orders’ domain, that is the provinces and territories where they focused on evangelising Filipinos, making it more possible to see their similarities, differences and uniqueness as well.

Submitted copy to the University Library. 07/25/2018 T-7355