San Pablo Apostol de Cabagan Church Reveals 300 Years of Secrets of the Philippines

When Pope Alexander VI signed his papal bull May 4, 1493 the fate of what we know as the Philippines fell to the Crown of Spain and the spreading of the Catholic faith. James Edward Cleland defines and develops the history of the Spanish colonial church and the uniquely Filipino architecture thought as well as an early interpretation of Spanish thought embodied in the plans and construction of St. Paul the Apostle Church, one of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines built of adobe and stone.

St. Paul’s Church of the Cagayan Valley has been protecting its people throughout 300 years of the history of the Philippines. Today it lies in near ruins. In “The Silent Sentinel” Cleland sets forth justification for a complete renovation of St. Paul the Apostle as a landmark church. He reveals how the church has impacted the formation of the Philippine nation. He pays tribute to the architectural design and originality of the Spanish friars and Filipino craftsman. He points out the impact and influence of the clergy on government and the people of the Philippines during the colonial period.

This is the remarkable story of how St. Paul’s Church has survived droughts, earthquakes, vicious typhoons, a war for independence, and the occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Myths, legends, and religious traditions still abound among the congregants of St. Paul’s.

In the midst of poverty the people of the Cagayan Valley have begun the process of rebuilding their church, one of the largest, oldest and most significant churches influential in establishing Catholicism in the Philippines and other countries of Asia.

This restoration project is being directed by a handful of devoted priests, parishioners, and interested friends from neighboring provinces, and concerned contributor throughout the world.

Helpful appendixes, end notes, bibliography, various lists which include the help of nearly forty resource assistants, dozens of interviews, several unpublished manuscripts, numerous books, websites and articles give evidence of the extensive research that has gone into the preparation of the monumental task of writing this important book.

The site photography for St Paul’s and examples of parallels of American restoration projects provide the reader with an appreciation of the proposed magnitude of the reconstruction project.

Cleland’s writing is highly readable, interesting, informative, and inspirational. “The Silent Sentinel” will be of keen interest to historians, to students of architecture, to seminarians, and to concerned lay Christians who want to be a part of preserving their heritage.

Purchase The Silent Sentinel
James Edward Cleland
AuthorHouse (2008)
ISBN 9781434359681
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views

Comments

[goderls]

Hey just a thought, you would probably get more readers if you interviewed controversial people for your blog.

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