Pililla Church

The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Mary Magdalene (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.

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. When Pilang Morong was given autonomy in 1599, the central government granted an authorization to construct a church of stone.

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.

Features
The church is made of adobe, similar to other churches in Laguna. The façade and belfry of the church are simple in design. 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.