“Remember the Banda San Francisco de Malabon?” I ask you as we approach Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church. This church isn’t just a beautiful structure. It’s a place where history and faith intertwine.
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church stands as the first Roman Catholic parish in General Trias. General Trias was once known as San Francisco de Malabon. The church proudly carries this history.
Franciscans established the first church here in 1611. Initially, it was a sub-parish of Cavite Viejo. In 1624, the church was transferred to the Jesuit order. Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church became a separate parish on September 9 1753.
Doña Maria Josepha de Yrizzari Y Ursula, Countess of Lizarraga, spearheaded the construction of the first stone church in 1769. The church was restored and enlarged in 1834. Earthquakes in 1880 caused partial damage. The facade was replaced in 1881, and further restoration occurred in 1885. Lighter corrugated galvanized iron replaced the roof tiles in 1892. This offered better protection from earthquakes. The church was again refurbished and enlarged in 1893.
Between 1989 and 1991, a significant restoration brought the church back to its original appearance. Felix P. Perez of the Diocese of Imus re-consecrated it on June 22 1991.
Attached to Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church is a convent. This is where the Banda San Francisco de Malabon practiced. They rehearsed the Marcha Filipina. This is the music of the Philippine national anthem. They played it during the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12 1898. The convent now houses the Museo de San Francisco de Malabon.
The National Historical Institute of the Philippines declared the church a historic structure in 1992. They installed a marker to commemorate this.
The architecture reflects Earthquake Baroque style. This style is common in the Philippines due to the destructive earthquakes of the 17th and 18th centuries. Thick walls and buttresses support the structure.
Consider the Tree of Saint Francis. Once an old acacia tree stood to the right of the church’s entrance. It witnessed countless historical and personal events. Typhoon Milenyo uprooted it. Artisans from Paete, Laguna carved an image of Saint Francis into the trunk. The trunk was then returned to its original location.
Visiting Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church is more than just seeing an old building. It is about connecting with the history and heritage of the Philippines. The echoes of the past resonate within these walls. They remind us of faith, resilience, and the spirit of a nation.