Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church (San Carlos)


St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the City of San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines. The church, made out of bricks or ladrillo, used to be the largest Catholic church in the Philippines during the late 18th century, The church was finished in 1773, under the administration of Father Cristobal Ausina. However, it was destroyed by three earthquakes in 1789, 1796, and 1799.

History

The first site of the Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church was built at the western side of the Agno River where the town of Binalatongan was originally located. The church was destroyed by fire in September 1587. The church was reconstructed at the eastern part of the river, also known as the town of Baloydaan. For the second time, the church was damaged by a fire incident in August 4, 1718. The town of Baloydaan, or town of Binalatongan, was transferred to its present site at Pangasinan and was renamed as San Carlos in 1764.
The construction of the new church was finished in a span of three years under the administration of Father Cristobal Ausina. However, series of earthquakes from 1796, 1798, and 1799, heavily damaged the church. From 1802 up to 1804, the church was reconstructed measuring long and. The height of its walls were lowered and its foundations were strengthened with buttresses. However, the church, together with its convent, was caught up into fire in 1822. The fourth reconstruction of the church was eventually done before 1864. Father Alvarez Carrozal initiated the rehabilitation of the church from 1878 up to 1890. The bell tower was also erected during his time.

Architectural features

The church resembles a Baroque architectural style. The third and fourth levels form a large pediment with the raking cornice consisting of huge scrolls. The topmost level was painted with the picture of Saint Dominic. The middle segment gives contrast within the levels through the designs along its wall planes.

Present condition

In August 8, 1989, Doña Conseelo S. Perez and Governor Rafael M. Colet, together with Archbishop Federico G. Limon and Mayor Douglas D. Soriano, unveiled the marker of the St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Church.

Marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

Simbahan ng San Carlos
ANG SIMBAHANG GAWA SA LADRILLO AY SINIMULANG ITATAG NOONG 1770 SA PAMAMAHALA NI P. AUSINA, SA POOK NA ITO KUNG SAAN INILIPAT ANG KABAYANANG BINALATONGAN, NA PINANGALANANG SAN CARLOS NOONG 1764. PINAKAMALAKING SIMBAHAN SA PILIPINAS SA PANAHONG IYON, NAPINSALA NG LINDOL NOONG 1789, 1796 AT 1799, ANG PAGTATAYO NG KAMPANARYO AT PAGSASAGAWA NG MGA PAGBABAGO AY PINAMAHALAAN NI PADRE ALVAREZ CARROZAL, 1878-1890.