Basilica de San Martin de Tours (Taal)
The Basilica of St. Martin of Tours is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines. It stands on Calle Saint Martin in the municipality of Taal.
The church dedicated to St. Martin of Tours is considered the largest church in South and Southeast Asia.
History
The first church made of wood with a roof structure from Nipapalmblättern - originated in 1575 on the present site of the church under the leadership of the priest Diego Espinar and the consecrated Martin of Tours - 1642 destroyed by the eruption of Taal.
From the decision of a new building church stone tells the traveler of San Augustin. This was destroyed in 1754 in the largest ever documented eruption of Taal Volcano.
As of 1756, the next church made of coral stone, whose first phase lasted until 1781 was formed. The priest called Jose Vitoria in 1782 silverware in order to begin the interior work can, its completion date is not known. In 1831, Bishop José Segufvon of the fully equipped church was impressed because of their size and their art treasures.
At the outbreak of Taal 1852, the church was again badly damaged, so it was decided the construction of the still existing church building by the architect Don Luciano Oliver. This new building was built in 1854 triggered by a priest Marcos Antón subject to the requirement to build the largest religious building in Asia. It was begun in 1858 and 1865, still unfinished, dedicated. The completion of the church lasted until 1878, the interior was carried out under the direction of Father Agapito Aparicio.
1942 during the invasion of the Philippines by the Japanese Empire, the small bell tower was destroyed. 1948, Pope Pius XII. the Church of the Minor Basilica.
In 1970 the church was damaged by a typhoon and then renovated again.
On January 16, 1974 President Ferdinand Marcos declared the church a national cultural monument of the Philippines.
Gallery
Interior of the church seen from the altar
The choir of the Basilica