SAN ROQUE PARISH CHURCH: A Glimpse of Its Wealth and Beauty

I have always been wondering why churches were grandiosely built and lavishly decorated. Everytime I get to visit churches from different places, it has always been my expectation that it would be as exquisite as the previous one I’ve been. In fact, there are even times that some surpass the lavish architectural beauty of the others. Correspondingly, these religious places never failed to fascinate me. I found out that a theological message is behind the extravagant structure of churches, that is to convey the great glory and power of God.

Take for example my very own hometown church, the San Roque Parish Church. It is an exquisitely built architecture and the only Catholic Church in Cordova, Cebu which is generally the landmark building of the town.

Before it had come to attain its progress, it had undergone first numerous of changes and development both on its physical structure and spiritual drift.

In the beginning, there was no such town as Cordova until the three barangays- Gabi, Day-as and Pilipog separated from the town of Opon and merged to form a town. Governor-General Rafael de Echague y Birmingham gave the name “Cordoba” which means “stark nakedness” and “bare” derived from the name Cordoba, España and it was decreed on May 22, 1863.

A year after the establishment of the town, the people constructed the new Catholic church in honor of its patron saint, St. Roque of Montpellier, France which at the same time is the first Cebuano parish constructed in honor of the said saint. St. Roque turned out to be the patron saint because at that time, leprosy was prevalent in Cordova. St. Roque, himself a victim of leprosy, was the saint especially invoked against the plague.
           The construction of the church spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Jose Salazar OAR, the first parish priest, was finished on October 8, 1864. It was made up only of stone and wood (tabigue pampango) while the roof was of nipa. Further, it measured 27.5 m long, 5.90 m wide and 5.0 m high.

In 1891, Fr. Pedro Medina initially built the present convent of masonry and wood which was partially done on 1893. Nonetheless, it was completed by Fr. Jose Baztan on 1896.

   The church and the convent were the living signs of Spanish influence having maintained their original design except for some renovations. These were the proofs that Spain was able to spread the seed of Christianity by teaching the natives or the indios as Spaniards called them the “Doctrina Christiana” and administering the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, Holy Eucharist and matrimony.

On November 25, 1877, a typhoon struck the town destroying the church and the convent. Fr. Jose Baztan supervised its reconstruction. Under one of the economic institutions of Spain called polo y servicios of forced labor on a daily quota basis, he required every male resident to quarry massive rocks and coral stones for the church. Known to be a priest with an unfriendly disposition, the people feared him because failure of delivery of the quarried rocks would mean public lashings. Incidentally, Fr. Jose Baztan was assassinated at the plaza of Opon on April 4, 1898 probably by the people who were victims of his notoriety. His cadaver was thrown into the sea.

Several reconstructions followed to strengthen the foundation of the church and to make it more exquisitely built as it is the temple of God. First, during its Diamond Anniversary on 1924, a remarkable change took place as Rev. Fr. Lucas Incon supervised the reconstruction of the old church by adding new materials to make it concrete. However, it was not completed. When the Word War II erupted in 1942 and eventually stopped, leaving the church with dilapidated and destructed parts, the second reconstruction was done by Rev. Fr. Antonio van Odijk, MSC in 1949 replacing the destroyed parts with new material. Subsequently, a third reconstruction administered by Rev. Fr. Martin van’t Westiende took place when te population grew in 1962.

The parish further grew in the structural aspect. There was a ceiling project done in July 1988 in response to Cardinal Vidal’s sigh, staring at the bare roof when he unexpectedly gazed at it on his visit in Cordova. Then a major renovation on its altar was done during Fr. Mercurio “Cur” Montenegro’s administration in 1994. Later, during Fr. Roberto “Bob” Villanueva’s time Arch. Hillardo Sitoy, an architect of the town, took charge of the expansion of both sides of the church.

To achieve these various church improvements, different means of campaign were undertaken: firstly, the fund-raising campaigns initiated by the Knight of Columbos, secondly the raffle draws held from time to time and thirdly the donations from the people of Cordova with charitable hearts.

On 1999, the altar’s flooring was being modernized. Then recently, railings for the church were built. The present parish priest, Fr. Alvin Lao, led the construction of tennis court in the church ground which invigorated the enthusiasm of the people especially the sports-oriented one. The left side of the church was turned into a multi-purpose ground and below the right belfry, a new air-conditioned room was put up.


 The design of the church was greatly influenced by the integration of Moorish and Gothic styles. Upon entering its main portal, one can note the influence of Gothic because it had pointed arch and with a carving of St. Roque on it. Inside the church, pointed arches. Quatrefoil openings relieved the plain walls above the semi-circular arcade. The façade was divided into three sections by the four fluted Corinthian columns ending up in pointed pediments. The fluted columns also used the Egyptian palm leaf capital. Side windows were also Gothic inspired which made a god combination with the semi-circular arched arcade. The church was also decorated with stained glass with images of angels and holy symbols like the cross and others. On the altar, one could easily see the large stained glass depicting Jesus kneeling and praying with the angels around him. The images on the stained glass could be clearly seen as light hits it providing a figurative and narrative art on the church.

  

In retrospect, the first golden years of the church was mostly administered by Order of Augustinian Recollect Missionaries (OAR) with a vision of living as a model of love while responding to the will of God and the call of the church for the transformation of the people they serve into a community that enjoys the fullness of life. From 1864, the year it was established, until 1908, a roster of 14 Augustinian priests served the church and evangelized the Christian faith.

The task of rebuilding and strengthening its structure and practices was succeeded by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.SS.R) on 1909. Years after, the secular CSSR priests and Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) joined their forces to carry out the parish works and duties. The priests who took turn in running San Roque Parish Church were foreign coming from different countries and under different religious order until such time that Filipino priests were now handling the parochial activities. All in all, there were 52 priests who administered the church including the present parish priest that Cordovanhons have now.

He is Fr. Alvin B. Lao, MSC. He was born on October 16, 1954 in Cebu City and is now 57 years old. His hometown is Lapu-lapu City. He graduated in San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu City. He had spent 32 years in religious life and 29 years in the priestly ministry. He started administering the church on March 31, 2005. Various church improvements inside and outside the church premises were his contributions wherein the parishioners took part by means of their all out support financially and morally. He continued the legacy of his predecessors as he administered the church very well.

Basically, the church serves as the mystery, the people of God and the body of Christ. It is the medium for the propagation of faith, evangelization and building of the Catholic faith of the Cordovanhons. It also teaches its parishioners about the salvation of the Lord.

Learned practices and caught values from life creates several organizations in the church which helped in carrying out its general drift namely, the Couples for Christ (CFC), Catholic Women’s League (CWL), Holy Face, Parish Renewal Experience Family (PREX FAMILY), Knights of Columbus( K of C), Legion of Mary (LOM), World Apostolate of Fatima (WAF), Marian Cenacle and many more.

            These organizations have implemented several programs that promote community weal and help build up the moral and spiritual aspect of the parishioners.

             The San Roque Parish Church has so much to offer and show. This is just a part of how great it is. It has overcome a multitude of struggles and has undergone several happenings that mold its physical and spiritual aspect while spreading the good news and the word of God to the people. One can see, feel and touch its progress and development as he visits the church, a living proof of yesterday, today and tomorrow.