ON WEDNESDAY, February 19, three churches in Rizal province were formally designated as National Cultural Treasures (NCTs), marking a significant step toward preserving the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.
In a social media post, the Spanish-era churches St. Ursula Parish in Binangonan, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose in Baras, and St. Jerome Parish Church in Morong have all been designated as NCTs.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has declared that these churches, all of which have long standing historical and architectural worth, now retain a cherished place in the country’s cultural memory.
This renowned honor highlights the cultural and spiritual legacy ingrained in these churches, which have weathered the test of time as silent witnesses to the nation’s past.
The churches in Binangonan and Baras have announced that two different ceremonies will be conducted early this month to celebrate the recognition, while the Morong church has yet to plan its own celebration.
Sta. Ursula Parish
The official announcement and appointment of the Sta. Ursula Parish is scheduled on March 2, with a Holy Mass presided over by Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos.
“Ating sama-samang saksihan ang makasaysayang pagdedeklara at pagtatalaga ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts sa Simbahan ng Binangonan bilang isang National Cultural Treasure o Pambansang Yamang Pangkalinangan,” the church said.
“Mabuhay ang #SimbahanNgBinangonan! Mabuhay ang mayabong at mayamang kultura ng Pilipinas!”
The Binangonan Church’s original construction was built in the 18th century and renovated in 1853. However, the church has deep cultural roots in the region, having been founded as a parish by Franciscans in the 1620s.
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose
On the other side, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose will be announced as one of the NCT’s newest members on March 9. The Baras Church is the oldest Josephian parish in the southern Tagalog mainland.
“We will celebrate the recognition of our church as a National Heritage Site, a testament to our people’s rich history, culture, and faith,” the parish said in its post.
“Baras Church is not just a building, but a living testimony of the faith of Filipinos, especially the Barasenio,” the post went on to say.
The town and church were first founded in 1595 by Franciscan missionaries, then relocated to Ibayo in 1636 before returning to its current location in 1682. The current church structure was built in 1686.
St. Jerome Parish Church
Meanwhile, the Morong Church was built in 1615 after a fire destroyed the first wooden church. The church, dedicated to St. Jerome, was completed in 1620.
It remained relatively untouched until the early 1850s, when Franciscan Fr. Maximo Rico hired native Paete craftsman Bartolome Palatino to repair the facade and construct a bell tower.
“Besides declaring us as Pilgrim Church this Jubilee Year of Hope of our Mother Church, we were also informed on January 8th that our church will be declared as one of the National Cultural Treasures of our country,” the church said in its social media post.
“The official declaration and unveiling of the marker date will be announced in the coming weeks,” it went on to announce.
Celebrating History
The significance of these three churches is not just their age and aesthetic value, but also the stories and events they have witnessed over the years.
Their preservation is critical in protecting not only the physical structures, but also the intangible culture and history associated with these hallowed sites.
With the designation of these churches as NCTs, the Diocese of Antipolo now has four churches listed as national cultural treasures. This includes Tanay’s San Ildefonso de Toledo Church, which was designated in 2001.
NCTs are properties that have significant historical, cultural, and artistic value. This is the greatest honor given to a location or structure in the country.
As the country grapples with modernity, it is critical to remember and preserve the physical expressions of its history, such as these churches, which help define what it means to be Filipino.
