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ArchitecturePaoay Church
The façade of Paoay church is made of brick and stucco where the side façade is made of coral stone. The façade is decorated with 6 wall posts. The façade is divided in to 5 parts. The top part is covered with classic pediment and there is a small bell hanger on top of the gable as well. In the nave appears only one arch door. There is no door around the aisle area. There is an arch that serves as window and camber. Moreover, the symbols of the families that patronize the church are decorated.
ArchitectureButtress: Paoay Church
The side buttress of Paoay church was built up firmly to prevent the church from earthquake erosion. The butsress is in volute shape which is in style of Baroque style. This is one of the most beautiful buttresses in the Philippines arts. Large buttress like this always appear in churches in Laoag- Vigan style. There is a staircase inserted between the buttresses to use for going up to the roof of the church. This style can also be seen in Santa Maria church near Vigan city. However, this style is completely different from Manila School because churches in Manila School do not emphasize in having a buttress in a church.
ArchitectureInterior: Paoay Church
Inside of Paoay Church appears three altars in Laoag- Vigan style. St. Augustine is enshrined in the middle altar while Jesus and Holy Family are in the side altar. The church is very long. The roof of the church is made of wood covered by zinc plate. The simple style of roof is very popular in Laoag- Vigan School.
ArchitectureSt. William Cathedral’s Belfry
The characteristic of the belfry of Laoag School is completely different than the one from Vigan. The belfry of Vigan School is usually octagon but the belfry of Laoag School is always square with layers. This character is inherited from the belfry of the church of Paoay city which is one of the successors of Spanish art. It is worth noting that at the side corner of the belfry appears a lot of large buttresses and they were built separately from the church to protect the belfry from falling over the church when an earthquake occurs. For this reason, belfries in this area are situated separately from churches.
