The Church of Pakil:
The Church of Pakil (2013)
The Church of Pakil (2007)
About the Church: In 1588, Fray Pedro Bautista (now San Pedro Bautista-Franciscan martyr) formed the first community of Pakil, originally called Paquil after the first Malay Datu Gat Paquil who ruled the town in 1575. Its church was just a small chapel, which belonged to church of Paete.
But it was only on 12 May 1676 when the town, as well as the parish of Pakil, were separated from Paete through the intercession of the Franciscan priest Fray Francisco de Barajas and Captain Diego Jorge.
The first parish church was made of bamboo and pawid. Its first parish priest was Fray Barajas himself who also chose as patron saint San Pedro de Alcantara to symbolize the mission that he belonged to.
In 1684, Governor General Don Gabriel Curuzcalegui recommended the suspension of taxes for five years so that a church and a convent of stone could be built. But, according to the writings of Fr. Felix de Huerta, OFM, the men of Pakil did not seem to appreciate such grace. Construction of the church and the convent, therefore, did not commence until 1732, under the direction of Fr. Fernando de Horo.
The men of Pakil had a difficult time constructing their church. It took them all of 35 years to finish. There are stories that go around even today that some of the men who helped build the church would leave their pregnant wives and comeback to see their children already walking.
The church was completed in 1767 and the reputation of being the sturdiest church around the Lake of Laguna. It was 162 feet long and 36 feet wide. The façade is Corinthian and the niche above the side door, Ionic.
In 1851, however, there was a big fire in the town and the convent and half the church were burned. The image of the Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de Turumba, which was also housed in the church and for which the town was also popularly known, was miraculously spared.
One year after the fire, the church and the convent were beautifully restored under the direction of Fr. Juan de Llerena. (from the Official Website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo)
Other Blog Sites to Visit: Traveller on Foot – A Travel Journal (Must Read!), 365 Great Pinoy Stuff, Asian Traveller
Other Sites to Visit: Pakil Laguna
Other Pictures of the Church:
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- The Church of Pakil (2007)
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- The Church of Pakil (2013)
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- The Church of Pakil (2013)
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- Inside Pakil Church
Pinoy Churches 