Parokya ni Santa Rosa de Lima

Historical Timeline of Sta. Rosa De Lima Parish Church

Sta. Rosa de Lima Parish Church originated in 1792 with the arrival of Fray Francisco Favie of the Dominican Order. Prior to this foundation, our town was only a barrio of Binan, and was named "Bucol" because some of the southern and western parts were hilly. 

The first “parish church or house of worship” was a"Bisita" constructed on the lot beside the Municipal Hall, then, known as the "Presidencia". The original Municipal Hall is now Museo de Sta Rosa. "Bisita" still stands and became the Police Headquarters and Municipal Jail in the old days.

SPANISH ERA

In 1780, the Spanish friars started the construction of the present Catholic Church and recruited labor from China who later became descendants of the old Chinese families in Santa Rosa like the Lijauco’s and the Tiongco’s. The old convent became the main building of the Canossa School. Both the church and the convent were completed within 12 years, and the church was inaugurated on August 30, 1792 with SANTA ROSA DE LIMA as its patron saint. And instead of “Bucol”, the residents chose to name the town “Santa Rosa.”

The first Mass was held on August 30, 1812 in honor of the Patron Saint, with Fray Francisco Favie, O.P the first Parish Priest.

Our church has eight (8) big bells that toll and ring majestically with sounds heard as far as distant barrios. Each bell is identified with names of saints – Santa Rosa de Lima (the biggest bell), Santa Barbara, Santissimo Sacramento, San Juan Bautista, San Jose, Santa Cecilia, Santo Domingo de Guzman, and Niño Jesus. Engraved on the bell are the patron’s name, the name of the manufacturer and his address, the priest then serving as the curate, the year of casting, and the name of the donor (if any). Interesting to see those engraved on the bell’s surface.

Throughout the Spanish regime, the town of Santa Rosa was under the administration of the Spanish friars, hence it was called the friar lands. In 1850, the Casa-Hacienda (the site of the present public elementary school) was built as the friar’s Administration Building and also served as residence most favored by visiting dignitaries. There was an underground passage from the foot of the stairs of the convent crossing through the town plaza to the stairs of the Casa-Hacienda.

The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal and the abuses and injustice of the Spanish authorities led to the hostilities among the inhabitants. In 1907, many disgruntled citizens embraced the Aglipayan religion. The parishioners suddenly diminished in number, and the priest held masses even if there were only seven persons attending.

JAPANESE ERA

Santa Rosa de Lima, our patron saint, is believed to be miraculous. During the Japanese occupation, several evacuees from the neighboring towns attested that a beautiful lady in black and white encouraged them to go to Santa Rosa where rice and fish were plentiful and they will not go hungry. Upon visiting our church, they said the Lady who invited them there was no other that but their patron, Santa Rosa de Lima. She was believed to have watched over the people and protected them during the Japanese occupation. Several evacuees that time have been saved from hunger through the miraculous appearance of the Holy Lady. The town folks believed that they were able to go through all the ordeals of the Japanese occupation through the protection, guidance & assistance of Santa Rosa De Lima. 

The Japanese soldiers attempted to shelter their horses inside our church, but the animals galloped wildly and wanted to remain outside. Many more stories are related by our citizens about the miracles of Santa Rosa de Lima.

We also had the biggest clock measuring one and one-half meters in diameter, whose sound announces every quarter of the hour. It was destroyed during a dogfight between the USAFE and the Japanese air forces, dismantling it of its statues of saints most especially those we use in processions during the Holy Week.

The various developments and improvements of our church were influenced and carried out by some of the good priests which we had in our Parish. Fray Andres Tejedor (Oct. 1916 - Feb. 1926), a Spanish priest of the Dominican Order, inspired Mariano Perlas, Sr., an indigenous Santa Rosa painter during the early 20thcentury, to paint the ceiling of our church.

It was a great attraction from 1923 to 1960 and was as beautiful as the ceiling of the Quiapo Church. Among the paintings were the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, the Coronation, the four Evangelists, Saint Roche, and others

The various changes and arrangements of the church took place with the help and leadership of some of the priests who served in the church. Father Andres Tejador gave inspiration to a professional painter, Mariano Sr. Perlas, who painted the ceiling of the church and was said to have become the main attraction of the church during the years of 1923 to 1960. His paintings can be compared to the beauty of the ceiling of Quiapo Church.

Some of the images painted are the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, The Coronation, The Four Evangelist, Saint Roche. During the time of service of Father Augustin Reyes, the pictures painted on the ceiling of the church were removed and rearranged because some of them were broken caused by bats and the age of the paintings themselves.

The two pictures painted on the ceiling near the "koro," the Patron Saints of Christian Music and Holy King David with the harp and Cecilia at the piano, are left on the ceiling of the church. Father Buenaventura Ubarco is the one who introduced PYCL or Parish Youth Council of the Laity with the help of Sister Carmelita C. Decasa. Father Jhon Paul Villanueva assumed the attribution of Adoration Chapel with the use of the baptistery. He also established various organizations in the church.

Father Antonio Atienza is the priest who assumed the renovations of the church including the church entrance and the cemetery inside. He also placed the images of Santa Rosa de Lima, Saint Joseph, The Virgin Mary and the Four Evangelist. Fr. RM. Castillo, with the support of stakeholders, was the one who enhanced the beauty of the church and decided to build a patio and the fourteen Stations of the Cross, altar expansions and configuration of the church entrance.

JAPANESE POST WAR ERA

The present convent was constructed in 1954 when Sisters of the Canossian Congregation utilized and subsequently renovated the old building and it became the center of the Canossian Mission in the Philippines. Behind the old building (when it was still a convent), was an open field which was the site of the old Santa Rosa Cemetery. This was later transferred to its present site during the last years of the Spanish rule.

During the time of Father Agustin Reyes (1957-1966) the paintings were removed when the ceiling was repainted during the renovation of 1960 because some pictures have been effaced by bats and of age. The two paintings on the ceiling of the choir loft or “Koro”, the image of the patron saints of Christian music – Holy King David with the harp and Santa Cecilia at the piano, are the only remains of these more than a dozen paintings on the church ceiling.

When Father Benito Pagsuyuin (1971-1981) was the Parish Priest, some paintings that were rotting in the sacristy were assembled, and the late Dr. Pedro Rivera has them repainted. They were framed and displayed in the back part of the church.

The short stay of Father Buenaventura Ubarco (July 1987 – Nov. 1988) as Parish Administrator marked the birth of the Parish Youth Council of the Laity (PYCL) organized with the help of Sister Carmelita C. Decasa, fdcc then Pastoral Sister of the Canossian Congregation. It was also during this time when the Parish Lectors/Commentators Guild (LCG) was formed. He also restored the church sacristy.

Father John Paul Villanueva installed the Adoration Chapel using the Baptistry. He also activated the different church organizations. Father Antonio Atienza, who died in office after serving the Parish for only one year, was responsible for the repainting and repair of the whole church roofing. He also initiated the renovation of the church façade. The exterior niches which for so long stood empty hence several statues of saints were placed on the church threshold in the year 1989-1990 and were finally filled up with statues of Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and Santa Rosa de Lima positioned on top of the other statues.

Under the auspices of Father Mar R.M. Castillo, and with the support of the parishioners at large, the beautification of our church patio was completed in barely one year of his stay at the Parish. It gave the church a beautiful setting with a fountain installed at the center of the patio, and on one side, the Fourteen Stations of the Cross are depicted on the stone wall. Father Mar also made possible some renovations like the widening of the Altar and the repair of the side entrance of the church.

Spiritually, our church has made rapid progress. Many renegade Catholics have returned to the flock. Several religious organizations, as well as social and civic groups, are participating wonderfully in the projects and activities in the church. The number of churchgoers and communicants has increased significantly. 

We have now four (4) Barangay Mini-Parishes – Tagapo, Sinalhan, Aplaya & Caingin. Their organizations served as a connecting link to the Mother Parish Council of the laity, thus the carrying out of activities became faster and even smoother. Because of the various improvements being seen by the parishioners, they have become more generous in giving and more conscious of their duties and obligations to the church. Inspired by this response from the people, the Pastors, together with the Parish Council of the Laity and its member organizations, improvements and renovations of the church were completed. 

The Adoration Chapel was renovated under the supervision of Father Mar Castillo while the new convent was constructed under the tutelage of Father Melchor Barcenas. The building of the Mortuary has been accomplished under the auspices of Father Anthony Ricafort. The newly constructed belfry of the church with the support of Father Larry Abayon. The lighting of the church and patio and the new suelo of the church has been carried out by the Rev. Father Ricky Yapana and more new feasible projects are being lined up.

The original Chinese families like Tiongco, Lijauco, Liangco, Puzon, Limaco, Lim, Ong-iko and more together with the Spanish/Filipino families like Zavalla, Delfino, Mercado, Manguera, League, Arambulo, Moldes, Punzalan, Hernadez, Rivera, Carteciano, Carpo, Arcillas, Bartolazo and more together with the help of the local community, the success of Sta Rosa is unstoppable. 

As the town of Santa Rosa propels to greater heights owing to the tremendous developments as an industrial community, our church will not be left out in this progress. This is as long as we are one people of God – working harmoniously, sharing thoughts and ideas, and joining hands together for the good of our church and that of its entire people.