Pililla Church

Diocesan Shrine & Parish of St. Mary Magdalene
Pangdiyosesis na Dambana at Parokya ni Santa Maria Magdalena (Filipino)
Church façade in 2023
Diocesan Shrine & Parish of St. Mary Magdalene Show map of Luzon Diocesan Shrine & Parish of St. Mary Magdalene Show map of Philippines
14°28′48″N 121°18′24″E / 14.480135°N 121.306699°E / 14.480135; 121.306699
Location	Brgy. Imatong, Pililla 1910 Rizal
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Diocesan Shrine
Founded	1583
Founder(s)	Juan de Plasencia and Diego Oropesa
Dedication	Mary Magdalene
Dedicated	July 20, 2018
Relics held	Bone of St. Mary Magdalene - 1st Class Relic Cloth of St. Mary Magdalene - 2nd Class Relic
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Administration
Province	Rizal
Archdiocese	Archdiocese of Manila
Diocese	Diocese of Antipolo
Parish	Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene
Clergy
Archbishop	Jose Fuerte Advincula
Bishop(s)	Ruperto Cruz Santos
Priest(s)	Luisito S. Atanacio

The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene (Filipino: Pangdiyosesis na Dambana at Parokya ni Santa Maria Magdalena and Simbahan ng Pililla), also known as Pililla Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in the municipality of Pillila, Province of Rizal, Philippines. The church was built by the Franciscans in 1583, under the patronage of Saint Mary Magdalene. It is a few kilometers away from San Ildefonso Parish Church, a historical church in Tanay.

On January 16, 1977, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the historical marker of St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church.^[1]

On July 22, 2018, the parish church was declared a diocesan shrine.

History

In 1571, the Spaniards conquered and inhabited the towns along Laguna de Bay. Prior to Spanish colonization, Pililla was named Pilang Munti. It was incorporated to the administration of Morong and was named Pilang Morong.

Franciscan priests led by Diego de Oropesa and Juan de Plasencia arrived at Pilang Morong in 1572. As part of the established reducciones system, the Franciscans built the first church made from cogon and nipa in 1583.^[2] When Pilang Morong was given autonomy in 1599, the central government granted an authorization to construct a church of stone.^[3]

In 1632, a conflagration destroyed the church and the whole town. When a new church was built, another destruction by fire ruined the church in 1668. A new church was immediately completed between 1670 and 1673. Renovation of the church altar and the adjacent convent were completed in 1848. Several renovation projects were also completed between 1962 and 1976.^[3]

Features

The church is made of adobe, similar to other churches in Laguna. The façade and belfry of the church are simple in design.^[3] The baptistery is located at the bottom of the bell tower, on the left side from the vestibule of the church. A small retablo housing the image of Mary Magdalene can be found inside the baptistery.

Adoracion Chapel
The NHCP church marker (right) and the marker inscribing its declaration as a diocesan shrine (left)
The main door of the church
Details of the church ceiling
The nave of the church.
Church main altar
Ivory Processional Image of Saint Mary Magdalene

References

^ Historical Markers: Regions I-IV and CAR, Volume 1 of Historical Markers. National Historical Institute (Philippines). 1993. p. 95. ISBN 9715380611.
^ Gutay, OFM., Jose. "Life and Works of Fray Juan de Plasencia". OFM Philippines Archives. Order of Friar Minors Philippines.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Our Church and Town". magdalenahane.faithweb.com/. St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church. Retrieved October 13, 2014.