Parish Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo

One of the reasons church devotees and travelers visit Negros Oriental is that it is full of historical landmarks. One of these landmarks is an old church named after St. Augustine.

The Parish of Saint Augustine of Hippo, situated in the town of Bacong in Negros Oriental, is a glimpse of how the Filipinos build a sturdy structure in the past.

Parish Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo

Situated at the side of Leon Kilat Park and the Municipal Hall of Bacong, the Parish Parish Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo is the only big church in town. Declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum by Republic Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree 374 and Republic Act 8492 on November 05, 2001, the church houses a few religious mementos in its museum.

The strong bell tower at the side of the church is made from blocks of coral stones while the facade is made from concrete and modern-design stones.

According to Wikipedia, Saint Augustine of Hippo is also known as St. Augustine, St. Austin, or St. Augoustinos. He was a bishop of Hippo Regius (present-day Annaba, Algeria). He was a Latin philosopher and theologian from the Africa Province of the Roman Empire and is generally considered as one of the greatest Christian thinkers of all times. His writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity.

According to his contemporary Jerome, Augustine “established anew the ancient Faith.” In his early years he was heavily influenced by Manichaeism and afterward by the Neo-Platonism of Plotinus. After his conversion to Christianity and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology, accommodating a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed that the grace of Christ was indispensable to human freedom, and he framed the concepts of original sin and just war.

Restored in 2009 to be useful and avoid further damage, the pipe organ, built on August 28, 1962, inside the Parish Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo is also one of its attractions aside from the grotto with concrete seats outside. Even though there is not much to see inside the church, the townsfolk as well as people from the nearby towns of Valencia and Dauin often visit it to pray and ask for miracles.

For more information about Parish Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo in Bacong, Negros Oriental, you may contact the Diocese of Dumaguete at Telephone Number (035) 225-4614 or (035) 225-0612.

Grotto

Inside the Adoration Chapel

Museum

Pipe Organ

Sam and Lisa at Saint Augustine Church

Inside the Church

Adoration Chapel

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.