Church of St. John the Baptist

Location: Agutaya Church, Agutaya, Palawan

Category: Buildings/Structures

Type: House of Worship

Status: Level II - Historical marker

Marker date: 1999

Installed by: National Historical Institute (NHI)

Marker text:

CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

COMPLETED IN 1748, THE CHURCH FORTRESS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST OF AGUTAYA WAS BUILT BY THE AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECTS AS DEFENSE AGAINST MUSLIM INVASIONS NAMED AS BALUARTE DE SAN JUAN BAUTISTA. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH THE HELP OF THE AGUTAYANONS AND THEIR ENCOMENDERO DON ANTONIO DE ROJAS, WHO DELINEATED AND LAID OUT THE BUILDING. THE FORTRESS WAS EQUIPPED WITH CANNONS, ARQUEBUSES, SLINGERS AND MORTAR WEAPONS. DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THE CHURCH FORTRESS BECAME AN EVACUATION AND REFUGEE CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF AGUTAYA.