Villa Escudero Church/Museum Postcard

This is an over-sized postcard of the Villa Escudero Church/Museum.

At the entrance of Villa Escudero is a beautiful Spanish church with a pink facade. It houses a museum which displays the unusual collection of its original owner, Dr. Escudero. It is full of items of religious significance, the Spanish era, animals, and pre-history graves and artifacts. Upstairs, are a few cabinets related to World War II, displaying Japanese and Allied small arms, machine guns and relics.

Villa Escudero Church/Museum Postcard

SOURCE:
Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort

Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis Postcards

These over-sized postcards show the Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis in Betis, Pampanga.

The Parish Church of Santiago Apostol de Betis was built by the Agustinian Friars in 1754 using the design very predominant during its time: the Baroque Architecture. With ceiling paintings from the early 20th century, the church boasts of the most beautiful retablo in Pampanga that is arguably also the best in Central Luzon. Rendered in rococo, the piece, built presumably in the mid-18th century, is a fine example of Kapampangan art and craft.

Betis Church Postcard 1

There are various themes in the ceiling paintings. There’s a portrayal of Jesus Christ praying in Gethsemane. There’s also a depicting Jesus Christ which looks like he’s preaching people of various origins and race. These frescoes were all done by a local artist named Simon Flores, although several restoration works have already been done to preserve this masterpiece.

Betis Church Postcard 2

The retablo mayor is tastefully crafted and replete with decoration and religious enhancements. Fortunately, the piece still exudes the quality and charm of colonial retablos with the patina of age providing interest and definition. The wooden floor, though not so old, is well-maintained and adds to the ambience. Original wooden furnishings are still in the sacristy and in the convento.

Betis Church Postcard 3

SOURCES:
The Restoration of 26 Philippine Churches (An Article)
Betis: The Sistine Chapel of the Philippines

San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard

This is the San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard and not the San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral or the Assumption Cathedral as I first posted.

San Fernando Rey Parish Church Postcard

Barasoain Church Postcards

Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, the original church was burned during the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution however, it was renovated. The Parish Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel had its first stone edifice in 1871 to replace a temporary one but was burned later. In 1885, the current structure was started while the bell tower was constructed in 1889.

Barasoain Church Postcard 1

Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, most important religious buildings in the Philippines, and the site of the First Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

Barasoain Church Postcard 2

The facade has Neo-Classic touches and its rounded pediment is echoed by the arches and rose window at the lower part. While the left outside of the Church is a medieval bell tower, the entrance of which has bamboo arches linings and its sides are rose windows.

Barasoain Church Postcard 3

Its architectural design is simple however, it has paintings in its ceilings and domes which makes it look bigger than its actual size. Aside of which, floral motifs, frescoes of angels and saints embellish the interior of the Church.

SOURCE:Barasoain Church Wikipedia Entry

Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador Postcard

The Parish Church of San Isidro Labrador in Pulilan, Bulacan is dedicated in honor of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers and the patron saint of Madrid, Spain, as well. In fact, the town was called San Isidro Labrador before getting renamed as Pulilan from “Pulo ng Ulan”.

San Isidro Labrador Postcard

SOURCE:
Pulilan Church

Parish Church of St. Joseph Postcards

The construction of the St. Joseph Church was initiated by Fr. Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, a priest under the Augustinian Recollects. The construction of the church started in 1797 and took 30 years to complete, with the help of 300 families who pooled their resources.

St. Joseph Church Postcard

The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ is in the Parish Church of St. Joseph. The organ was installed in the church in 1832. It measures 5.17 meters tall, 4.17 meters wide and 1.45 meters deep. It has a total of 1,031 pipes, 902 of which are bamboo. It was made out of the hundreds of bamboo poles which Fr. Cera buried in the sand for a year to it be treated by salt water to preserve and protect it from termites.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 1

Of these bamboo pipes, 747 are classified as speaking flue pipes, 36 as blind flue pipes and 119 as axe blind pipes. The 129 pipes are made of metal, with 122 speaking reed pipes comprising the trumpets. The seven other speaking reed pipes are for the “bird stops.” It had a special tube also made of bamboo, which was designed to imitate the song of the birds when a small quantity of water was poured therein.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 2

In 1973, a decision was made to ship the organ pipes out of the country to the Johanes Klais Orgelbau firm in Germany for restoration to their original state. Today, the organ is about 80 percent original.

Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard 3

SOURCE:
Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

Saint Peter's Parish Church Postcards

The postcards show the Saint Peter's Parish Church. Unfortunately, the only information I can find regarding the church is:
Titular: Saint PeterFeast Day: February 22Established: June 20, 1993Address: New Capitol Estates I, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

Saint Peter's Parish Church Postcard 1

Saint Peter's Parish Church Postcard 2

Malate Church Postcards

Malate Church is a church in Manila. It is a Baroque-style church which faces a small park and beyond that Manila Bay. The church is dedicated to Nuestra Senora de Remedios ("Our Lady of Remedies"), the patroness of childbirth. A revered statue of the Virgin Mary in her role as Our Lady of Remedies was brought from Spain in 1624 and stands at the altar.

Malate Church Postcard 1

The church was built originally in the sixteenth century by the Augustinians and is one of the oldest churches in Manila outside of Intramuros. British soldiers took refuge in this church during their occupation of the Philippines and attack on Intramuros in 1762-63. However, the church was destroyed in 1773 and was rebuilt. It was also badly damaged in World War II, and later restored again.

Malate Church Postcard 2

The present weathered adobe structure is actually only over 100 years old, though various predecessors have stood on the site since the end of the 16th century.

Malate Church Postcard 3

SOURCE:
Malate Church Wikipedia Entry

National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Postcards

In Antipolo, one finds the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, popularly known as the Virgin of Antipolo (Birhen ng Antipolo). On March 25, 1626, Don Juan Niño de Tabora left the shores of Mexico aboard the galleon, El Almirante, to make its voyage to the Philippines. On this trip, Governor Tabora brought along the brown image of our Blessed Virgin Mother.

Antipolo Church Postcard 1

For three months, the El Almirante safely braved the dangers of the stormy seas and a fire aboard the ship, arriving in the ports of Manila on July 18, 1626. It is said that because of the events surrounding the safe voyage of the El Almirante, the Blessed Virgin was named Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje.

Antipolo Church Postcard 2

SOURCE:
Shrine Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage

Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad Postcard

The Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad (Bantay Church) is home to the venerated our Lady of Charity, patroness of Nueva Segovia. The Statue of Our Lady adorns a niche at the top section just below the ornate cornice of the church façade.

Bantay Church Postcard

Below it is another niche occupied by a statue of St. Augustine of Hippo and flanked by narrow stained glass windows. Based on historical records, the statue was canonically crowned by the Most Rev. Egidio Vagnozzi, D.D. Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines on January 12, 1956.

SOURCE:Church and Religious Shrines: Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad

National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Postcards

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, also called the Redemptorist Church and the Baclaran Church, is a Roman Catholic in the Diocese of Parañaque. On January 1958, the Philippine hierarchy officially declared the Baclaran Church to be the National Shrine of the Mother of Perpetual Help. The parish celebrates its fiesta on June 27, the feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Baclaran Church Postcard 1

The Redemptorists brought the picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help to the Philippines in 1906. The increasing attendance of the devotees forced the Redemptorists to consider a more spacious church. The foundation stone had been laid by Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney on January 11, 1953.

Baclaran Church Postcard 2

The Church’s architecture is described as Modern Romanesque. Cesar Concio, its architect, and Jesse Bontoc his associate, had planned a higher church with a bell tower. But because of its proximity to the airport, civil aeronautic regulations prevented them from carrying out their plan in full.

SOURCES:
National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Wikipedia EntryOur Mother of Perpetual Help History

Wat Phra Kaew Postcard

The Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha; full official name Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace.

Wat Phra Kaew Postcard

The construction of the temple started when King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other temples it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the highly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas. The main building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. The Temple also contains a model of Angkor Wat, added by King Nangklao (Rama III), as the Khmer empire of Cambodia and the Thais share cultural and religious roots.

SOURCE:
Wat Phra Kaew Wikipedia Entry

Wat Yai Postcard

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan, also commonly referred to as Wat Yai, is a Buddhist temple in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Wat Yai is famous throughout Thailand for its golden sculpture of the Buddha called the Phra Buddha Chinnarat. It depicts Buddha in the posture of submission.

Wat Yai Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

The cloister of the temple was established in 1357 during the reign of King Maha Thammaradscha I of Sukhothai. The temple'slarge vihara has an immense main entrance with mother-of-pearl inserts donated by King Boromakot in 1756. Beyond the vihara is a Khmer style prang, the inside of which can be accessed via a stairway. The Prang is said to enshrine relics of the Buddha.

SOURCE:
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wikipedia Entry

Phra Maha Suwanpatimagorn Postcard

Phra Maha Suwanpatimagorn or Sukhothai Trimitr golden Buddha image is the largest golden Buddha image in the world. It is a Buddha image in the mara conquering attitude. It is made of pure gold, measuring 12 feet 5 inches in diameter and has a height of 15 feet 9 inches from the base to the crown and it weighs approximately 5 tons.

Phra Maha Suwanpatimagorn Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

Originally, this golden Buddha image was completely covered with plaster to conceal it from the enemy then invading Thailand and was installed as the principal Buddha image in the main temple building of Choti-naram Temple or Wat Phrayakrai. The Ecclesiastical Commission then move this golden Buddha image to the Trimitr Witthayaram Temple where it now remains, discovering in 1955 that it was made of pure gold.

SOURCE:
Phra Maha Suwanpatimagorn

Wat Ratchanaddaram Postcard

Wat Ratchanaddaram, a Buddhist temple which means Royal Niece, was built to the order of King Nangklao (Rama III) for Mom Chao Ying Sommanus Wattanavadi in 1846.

Wat Ratchanaddaram Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

The temple is best known for the Loha Prasat, a one of a kind in structure Thailand. The pagoda is a replica of the Loha Prasat built in India. It is 36 m high and has 37 metal spires, signifying the 37 virtues toward enlightenment. In 2005, the temple was submitted to UNESCO for consideration as a future World Heritage Site.

SOURCE:
Wat Ratchanadda Wikipedia Entry

Wat Phra Yai Postcard

Wat Phra Yai was constructed in 1977 and is the site of the biggest Buddha image named 'Phra Phuttha Sukothai Walaichonlatham', which is enshrined here. Because the image is visible from much of Pattaya, it gives Buddha Hill its name.

Wat Phra Yai Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

SOURCE:
Pattaya Attractions: Wat Phra Yai

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Postcard

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The temple is often referred to as Doi Suthep although this is actually the name of the mountain it is located on. Within the site are pagodas, statues, bells and shrines.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

Aspects of the Wat draw from both Buddhism and Hinduism. There is a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesh. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a place of reverence and worship, was established by King Kuena in the year B/E 1916.

SOURCE:
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Wikipedia Entry

Wat Arun Postcards

Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn, perhaps so named because the first light of morning is reflected off the surface of the temple with a pearly iridescence) is a buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.

Wat Arun Postcard 1(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

The outstanding feature of Wat Arun is its central prang (Khmer-style tower). Steep steps lead to the two terraces. The corners are surrounded by 4 smaller satellite prangs. The prangs are decorated by seashells and bits of porcelain which had previously been used as ballast by boats coming to Bangkok from China. Around the base of the prangs are various figures of ancient Chinese soldiers and animals. Over the second terrace are four statues of the Hindu god Indra riding on Erawan.

Wat Arun Postcard 2

SOURCE:
Wat Arun Wikipedia Entry

Wat Pho Postcard

Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand, located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Wat Pho Postcard(Bought by my sister during her visit to Bangkok)

Wat Pho is the one of the largest and oldest wat in Bangkok, and is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, as well as one of the largest single Buddha images: the Reclining Buddha. Made as part of Rama III's restoration, the Reclining Buddha is forty-six metres long and fifteen metres high, decorated with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and the soles of his feet. The latter display 108 auspicious scenes in Chinese and Indian styles.

SOURCE:Wat Pho Wikipedia Entry

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcards

Built in 1972, the Cebu Taoist Temple is located in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Cebu City. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 1

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 2

The spacious balconies offer a scenic view of the downtown Cebu. Also noteworthy is the giant dragon statue.

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 3

Cebu Taoist Temple Postcard 4

SOURCE:
Cebu Taoist Temple Wikipedia Entry

Bell Church Postcard

The Bell Church is located at the north of Baguio along the road leading to the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet. There is a large arch at the entrance of the Bell Church with two dragons facing each other. Once you enter the Bell Church, you will get to see the typical oriental architecture. Red is the most dominant color here.

Bell Church Postcard

Within its compound are beautifully designed arches and buildings adorned with flags, bells and dragons. It has a pagoda and landscaped gardens. There is also a lotus pond, and a fish pond. Aside from the main temple, there are pagodas located on top of the hill. On the main altar, stands several gods of the Taoist faith.

Mission San Francisco Solano Postcard

Mission San Francisco Solano was founded on July 4, 1823 and named for a missionary to the Indians of Peru born in Montilla, Spain, known as the "Wonder Worker of the New World." It was originally planned as an asistencia ("sub-mission") to Mission San Rafael Arcángel. The mission is located in present-day Sonoma, California.

Mission San Francisco Solano Postcard

By 1839, the Mission was in ruins and unoccupied. In 1846, European settlers took over the town in what has come to be known as the "Bear Flag Revolt." It was during this time that the Mission was sold to a man who used the chapel entrance as a saloon and stored his liquor and hay in the chapel. The Mission eventually became a parish church serving the Pueblo and Sonoma Valley until it was sold to a private interest in 1881. In 1903, the Historic Landmark League bought the remains of Mission San Francisco Solano. Restoration was completed in 1913. The restored chapel burned in 1970.

SOURCE:
Mission San Francisco Solano

Mission Concepcion Postcard

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was established in 1716 as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais in East Texas. The mission was moved in 1731 to San Antonio. Founded by Franciscan friars, this is the best preserved of the Texas missions.

Mission Concepcion Postcard(PH Wish from Karen Brzezinski)

The current church building was completed in 1755 and is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. It is built in the shape of a cross, with walls that are 45 inches (1.1 m) thick. The mission was closed in 1794, with the property divided among the resident Indians, all of whom has left by 1800.

SOURCE:
Mission Concepcion Wikipedia Entry

Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace Postcards

The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA, or more popularly, the EDSA Shrine is a small church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila located at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Quezon City. The shrine, built in 1989 originally to commemorate the memories of the People Power Revolution and its peaceful outcome, stands on the site of two peaceful demonstrations.

EDSA Shrine Postcard

Architect Francisco Mañosa designed the Shrine to evoke the freedom of movement and celebratory spirit of the original EDSA Revolution. The Shrine is to open out to the streets with the image of Our Lady of Queen of Peace, as sculpted in bronze by the late artist Virginia Ty-Navarro, forming the apex of the structure.

EDSA Shrine Postcard 2

EDSA Shrine Postcard 3

SOURCES:
EDSA Shrine Wikipedia Entry
The Story of EDSA Shrine

Shrine of Our Lady of Casaysay Postcard

The story of the image of the Our Lady of Casaysay began four centuries ago after a fisherman named Juan Maningcad, found the statue in the Pansipit River in Barrio Casaysay in the year 1603. But Taal folks said strange phenomenon had occurred when the image "disappeared" from time to time. The statue goes back to the river where it was originally located.

Shrine of Our Lady of Casaysay Postcard

An arch was soon built over the wells of the statue, and is now known as "Banal na Pook". The chapel was torn down and replaced by the coral stone structure in 1639. The image of Our Lady of Casaysay was crowned at the Taal Basilica by Cardinal Quiroga, representing Pope Pius XII on December 8, 1954.

SOURCE:Our Lady of Casaysay, Taal

Pillar Christian Reformed Church Postcard

Pillar Christian Reformed Church began when a small group of Dutch immigrants arrived at Holland in early February 1847. By 1854 the membership grew too large for the old log chapel and the congregation voted to erect a larger church. Two years later, June 29, 1856, Rev. A.C. Van Raalte dedicated this structure.

Pillar Christian Reformed Church Postcard
(PH Wish from Karen Brzezinski)

Local craftsmen built the six hand made pillars on the site. The pillars have a solid cedar post in the center and the outside is made of tapered boards somewhat like barrel staves.

SOURCE:
Pillar Church Homepage

First Presbyterian Church Postcard

First Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley, NY was established in 1765 and the first house of worship built in 1770. The cornerstone for the Christian educational building was laid in 1956 and the building dedicated in 1957.

First Presbyterian Church Postcard(Trade with Barbara Sussman)

The Presbyterian Church was reestablished Pleasant Valley in 1765 as the settlers moved west to take advantage of Wappingers Creek for water power. The church was incorporated in 1785 and was known as the Presbyterian Congregation of Pleasant Valley.

SOURCE:First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley Homepage

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Postcard

On January 6, 1976, St. Nicholas Church, named in honor of the protector of the seamen, was elevated to the rank of a Cathedral of West Florida. The first small-framed church was painted white with a cross over the entrance.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Postcard
(PH Wish from Linda Jenkins)

In 1935, it was felt that the first church was no longer able to house and serve its community. The original frame was worn due to a fire. The architects, Eugene Brothers of Chicago, sought to create an original design by combining the Byzantine architecture with Gothic décor and a touch of modern. The one true Byzantine characteristic of the church is the large dome around which many stained glass windows have been placed to catch the sunlight as it shines into the church. The windows depict various episodes in the life of Jesus Christ and various saints. These stained glass windows were hand painted in 1942 to 1943 by Joseph V. Llorens of Atlanta Georgia.

SOURCE:St. Nicholas Church Homepage

Taluksangay Mosque Postcard

Taluksangay Mosque is the first mosque in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Built by Hadji Abdullah Maas Nuno in 1885, it was the first center of Islam which was recognized by the international Islamic community.

Taluksangay Mosque Postcard

SOURCE:Zamboanga Peninsula

Bongao Mosque Postcard

The postcard shows the Bongao Mosque located in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Unfortunately I couldn't find information regarding the mosque.

Bongao Mosque Postcard