Modern Transition: The transition of the Parish of Saint Ildephonse from old style to modern

By: James Sebastian Bendijo

The Parish of Saint Ildephonse located in Guiguinto, Bulacan at first look is like a modern and newly-painted church, inside and outside. But believe it or not, it is already 393 years old, dating back from 1621 when the main church and convent was first constructed.

1621 when it was constructed by the first ministers of Guiguinto, finished in 1734, it has already faced three major renovations, already withstood a major earthquake in 1863 and fire in 2002. But unlike other old churches, it looks more modern compared to other heritage religious landmarks.

Carmelita Maturingan, 81 years old, an old resident of Guiguinto and a regular server at the church noticed the significant transformation of the church. Mrs. Maturingan who first seen the church when she was just seven years old relived the differences of the church from then compared to the present in terms of physical structure.

“Dati walang pintura, rough na rough lang katulad noon, na merong nakatanim na iba’t-ibang halaman na tumutubo sa ibabaw ng bato na yon, meron din tayong kampanang isang malaki doon na maganda, na pagka-ginalaw, kinalembang mo, maganda tunog,” Maturingan recounted.

Maturingan further recounted, “noong unang panahon, ang altar ay nakatalikod sa mga tao, doon sa likod na ganon nakalagay, hindi siya nakaharap, ngayong panahon na ito, nabago e, naging harap.”

“Nagkaroon kasi ng pagbabago e, yung pulpito tinanggal, kaya ang sermon ay doon na lang sa harapan ng altar, ang altar ay hinarap sa mga tao kaya ang pari ay nagmimisa na nakaharap na sa altar,” added Maturingan.

The last renovation in 2002 that lasted until 2006 was needed when fire destroyed the church back in January 24, 2002 which coincided with the town fiesta at that time. That renovation transformed the church to its current form.

“Sa ngayon maganda ang aming simbahan at naging kaenga-enganyong pasukin at maraming natutuwa na mga mamamayan sa pagkaka-bago ng simbahan namin sa pamamagitan din naman ni Monsignor Nokon at Father Monique,” said Maturingan.

“Ang nabago lang naman yung loob e, pero yung labas hindi, nagkaroon lang ng painting, para tumibay, kaya nilagyan ng painting yon para tumibay ang mga bato,” stated Maturingan.

But despite the obvious change in the structure of the church, Mrs. Maturingan said that the church is still the church that withstood the hands of time. She noted that the Parish of Saint Ildephonse, even if it has transitioned to a modern look is still a significant part of the history of the town of Guiguinto.