The St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church or known as General Trias Church (Simbahan ng Heneral Trias) is the first Catholic parish church in the municipality of General Trias, Cavite. The church is located at the town square plaza of General Trias, formerly called as San Francisco de Malabon in honor of its patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi.
It was established by the Franciscans in 1611. It was transferred to the Jesuits in 1624 and eventually became a separate parish on September 09, 1753.
It’s architectural type is a church with attached convent, and the architectural style is an Earthquake Baroque. It’s a style of Spanish Baroque architecture that can be found in the Philippines, which suffered destructive earthquakes during 17th and 18th centuries.
The stone church was built in 1769 under the leadership of Dona Maria Josepha de Yrizzari Y Ursula, Countess of Lizarraga. It was restored and enlarged in 1834. The church was partially damaged during the Luzon earthquakes in 1880. The facade was replaced in 1881 with further restoration in 1885. The roof tiles were replaced in 1892 with the corrugated galvanised iron roofing as further protection from earthquakes. It was again refurbished and enlarged in 1893. The church was restored to its former looks between 1989-1991. It was again consecrated on June 22, 1991 after its completion by Most Reverend Felix P. Perez of the Diocese of Imus, the diocese that has jurisdiction of St. Francis of Assisi of Parish Church.
After our day swimming in Katungkulan Beach Resort, we went to the house of my Aunt in General Trias, Cavite. My sister and I googled if there’s a church nearby or any places to visit in General Trias. We found out that my Aunt’s house was just near to the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church (General Trias Church).
The next day, we visited the church. The parish church was just a 15 to 20 minutes away from the house of my Aunt.
More photos of St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church:
The parish church was known to many because the convent attached to the church was the place where the Philippines’ National Anthem, the Marcha Filipina, was practiced by the Banda Matanda before they performed the march during the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.
The historical marker placed at the main entrance of the parish church when it was declared as a Historical Structure in 1992 by the then National Historical Institute of the Philippines, now National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
The Tree of St. Francis. The century old acacia tree located at the right side of the church’ main entrance. The tree became a silent witness to many historical and personal events in the lives of the people of General Trias. It was uprooted by the typhoon Milenyo. The trunk of acacia was raised to it’s former site and the image of St. Francis was carved on it by the artisans from Paete, Laguna.
That was Maundy Thursday when we visited the church. I have observed that the General Trias Church is a favorite destination of devotees in Cavite as part of their Visita Iglesia because many people flocked to the church to pray.
The statue of Jesus Christ located at the garden of the church.
The statue of Virgin Mary also located on the far side of the church garden.
We’re happy that we’ve had the opportunity to visit the church that once became part of our colorful history. If ever we visit our Aunt and cousins who lives in General Trias, we will definitely visit to this church again.
Here’s how to get to St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church:
From Baclaran, ride a bus bound to Naic, Rosario, Maragondon or Ternate. Alight at Rosario (Salinas). Then a ride a jeepney bound to General Trias. Alight at the town square plaza. The church is in close proximity of the municipal hall of the General Trias.
Date of travel: March 29, 2018
Reference: St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church (General Trias Church) – Wikipedia
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