St Paul UMC, Manila: Our Story

St Paul United Methodist Church is the first protestant church in Tondo. In stark contrast to other landmark Methodist churches in the Philippines, Central and Knox Memorial, it was established solely by Filipinos.

The first church structure, a chapel of bamboo and lightweight materials, was dedicated by Presiding Elder Jesse McLaughlin on 5 Nov 1900. It was called Bancusay Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), and was built through the singular efforts of Honorio Feliciano, a local fisherman. The original building was also referred to as St Peter MEC, in honour of the people’s vocation and avocation – Bancusay being a fishing village.[1]

The period 1901 to 1907 was full of achievement and tremendous growth for the fledgling Philippine Methodist movement. The Tondo Circuit became the centre of missionary activity, with many local preachers (predicador local) and exhorters (exhortador) training at and being sent from this circuit. This missionary zeal helped to spread Methodism throughout Luzon. Listed are some of the recognised local preachers and exhorters of the period who were trained and cultivated from the Tondo Circuit:

Pedro Castro Francisco San Jose Sinforoso Ponce

Serviliano Castro Moises F. Buson Vicente Cunanan

Cirilo Kasiguran (Sr) Victoriano Mauricio Eugenio Monico

In early 1901 another group began gathering at the house of Pedro Castro on Calle Aguila, a few blocks from Plaza Moriones. Exhorter Moises F. Buson was developed at this satellite of Bancusay MEC. In Gagalangin, the converts led by Bonifacio Vargas took over the local Roman Catholic Church,[2] believed to be present-day St. Joseph.

Members from Bancusay MEC began a Bible Study and Prayer Meeting Point in Bagumbayan, Navotas, in 1902 – paving the way for present-day St Peter UMC.[3] It is possible that when this particular satellite of Bancusay MEC became a formal worshipping community they simply retained the alias of its “mother church” – St Peter – especially as (Bancusay MEC) acquired a new name in 1908 after its move to Plaza Moriones.

The Capisanan ng Catotohanan was organized in Bancusay MEC in 1904, espousing the pioneering missionary spirit. Exhorter Moises F. Buson was one of its organizers.[4] The number of Methodist converts kept growing, and the various meeting points within the circuit could no longer accommodate them all.

In 1907, USD 5,000.00 was donated anonymously for the construction of a bigger church building in Tondo. Within 6 weeks, a lot was purchased in Plaza Moriones and construction was begun. It is surmised that the site was chosen primarily because of its central location, being in between Bancusay MEC, Teatro Rizal, and other recognized meeting points in the area.

The Rev. Nicolas Zamora was officially appointed to Bancusay at this time, in response to the Capisanan ng Catotohanan’s outstanding request for a Filipino preacher.[5]

The Plaza Moriones site was dedicated on 8 March 1908. It is said that Knox Memorial MEC was dedicated in the morning while St Paul MEC’s was in the afternoon of the same day. The original name of the main congregation (Bancusay/St Peter MEC) was dropped and arbitrarily replaced with St Paul;[6] it is construed that the new name was in deference to the anonymous donor (many missionaries and benefactors of the age came from Minnesota, USA).

Bancusay MEC, its nearby adjuncts, and other groups in the area converged and consolidated, making St Paul the new focal point of the Tondo Circuit.

On 28 Feb 1909, the Rev. Nicolas Zamora declared his secession from the MEC in a farewell homily at St Paul. He was joined by Moises F Buson and the Capisanan ng Catotohanan. Thus began Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas, or IEMELIF.[7]

On 26 October 1917 the Finance Committee of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Philippines took action to sell the Calle Moriones building for PhP 8,000. According to Finance Committee records:

“The property is closely hemmed by business concerns – behind it a cinematograph where music is usually played during preaching and prayer service time making it unfit for religious services.”[8]

The preferred alternative location was in front of Mary Johnston Hospital (MJH), making it more accessible to patients, hospital personnel, and resident students of the Mary Johnston College of Nursing (MJCN).

A kindergarten was begun in 1926 by Miss (_) Caracta and Mrs Generosa Ramas (née Tangaro) as part of St Paul’s mission. This educational offering was the first of its kind in Tondo, and it continues to serve the community to this day.

The church completes its move to the present location on Sta. Maria St. in 1930, through the help of Dr Pedro Arcilla, Dr Rebecca Parrish and the Rev Cottingham.[9] The original building’s designer(s) and specifications have since been lost to time.

A new church is seeded in Sampalucan (Maypajo) through the efforts of St Paul MEC members and resident minister Rev. Francisco Galvez (1938). Initially a Bible Study group, it became a worshipping community before long. A lot was leased by a Mr Plata in Sangandaan and construction of a church building ensued, also through the material and physical efforts of St Paul members. Further support to this fledgling congregation was provided by Jose Buendia y Blas and family. The original site is now the location of Jollibee-Sangandaan Caloocan.[10] This yet unnamed congregation later on moves to its present location on A. Mabini St. upon donation of land by the descendants of the Rev. Simeon Blas. Initially named Doña Maxima Blas Memorial (after the Rev. Blas’ wife), it was renamed Crossroads UMC in 1970, during the term of Rev. Jose Pepito M. Cunanan.

World War II descended upon the Philippines in 1941,[11] and its departure in 1945[12] left Manila in shreds. Many structures were completely destroyed or damaged, St Paul MEC one of them. Through the efforts of Benjamin Felix, Sr. the church was restored to its former glory, adhering to the original design.

Circa 1954 St Paul helps pioneer yet another church, this time in Naga. Home-grown “son” the Rev. Eduardo Cajiuat and his wife Amelita were sent to minister to this new church. This church was further supported by St Paul United Methodist Youth Fellowship’s (UMYF) financial efforts. St Paul also helps seed pre-school education in Naga by starting the first kindergarten there. Miss Elizabeth “Eling” Eugenio, a public school teacher who volunteered to serve, was sent there.

In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with Evangelical United Brethren and became the United Methodist Church (UMC).[13] All churches in the connection acquired a name change: from MEC to UMC.

Towards the end of his term (1975), the Rev. Cirilo Kasiguran, Jr. and the “Second Milers” began Bible Studies at the home of (_) Policarpio in Barrio Magsaysay, Tondo.[14] Second Milers include:

Simeon Pineda Guadalupe Pineda Antonio Pineda

Belen Rodriguez Guillermo Villaruel Rodolfo Cunanan

Jose Tejada Laodicea Pascual-Tejada (_) Policarpio

Barrio Magsaysay became a formal worshipping community during the ministry of the Rev. Deogracias Angeles in 1980. When the Policarpios relocated to Valenzuela the house and lot where the community began was donated to St. Paul. Barrio Magsaysay UMC stands there presently.[15] It became a regular charge conference in 1985.

Also in 1985, St. Paul began a new church in San Jose, Cavite. The location was chosen through the coordination of the Rev. Cecilio S. Basan, Jr., and the guidance of then District Superintendent (DS) the Rev. Marcelino Casuco; the distance between Church By The Highway (CBTH) and Pala-pala UMCs was too great and a church located midway was deemed ideal. Land for the new church was bought and donated by sisters Erlinda and Flordeliza R. Punongbayan, but the structure itself was built through the Korean mission. Rev. Joel T. Reyes was the first to serve at San Jose UMC, while he was still a student at Union Theological Seminary (UTS) in nearby Pala-pala.

The 1990s heralded the beginning of the annual Medical Mission in conjunction with church anniversary celebrations. Although professionals from St Paul actively participated in previous missions organized by the district, the church itself had no medical mission of its own. By-the-by, this Outreach ministries project became institutionalized, and thus began the annual tradition. This service is open to all and is not limited to church members. Anyone who registers may avail of the various treatments on offer.

A Bible Study was organized in 1991 in Farola compound, Tondo, under the guidance of then incumbent minister Rev. Bener Agtarap. Originally the property of (church member) Paulino Pelayo, the house and land was later sold to St Paul for the establishment of a new church. It later became Farola UMC, now also a regular church under PAC.[16]

St Paul Kindergarten began offering primary education in 1997 and becomes St. Paul Grade School – Tondo. Incorporation was acquired in 1998, and government recognition as a primary school in October 2003.[17]

So it has been, for the last 107 years. The passion for mission and revolutionary spirit that marked its first one hundred years will continue to move us forward in the centuries to come.

By Lynn Basan

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[1] The Gospel In All Lands by Methodist Episcopal Church, Missionary Society Serial Publication, p427; Twentieth Century Perspectives by J. Tremayne Copplestone, p195.

[2] The Cross of Christ in Bolo-land by John Marvin Dean. (New York: F. H. Revell Company, 1902), pp205-209.

[3] Highlights in the History of St Paul United Methodist Church by Cecilio S. Basan, Jr.

[4] From Darkness to Light by Bishop Dionisio D Alejandro, DD, p44.

[5] Minutes, 1907 Annual Conference Journal, Philippine Islands Mission District

[6] Twentieth Century Perspectives, p212; Monuments to Religious Nationalism p.

[7] http://www.iemelif.com.ph/history.html; The Story of Methodism in the Philippines: Nationalism and the Rise of IEMELIF by Richard L Deats, http://www.users.drew.edu/loconer/books/deats/deats11.htm

[8] Letter of Ernest Lyons, secretary of the Finance Committee of the MEC, dated 26 Oct. 1917. Lyons, Ernest L. (Rev. & Mrs.), 1912-1922. Missionary Files, Misfiles. United Methodist Church Archives – GCAH, Madison, New Jersey.

[9] Maikling Kasaysayan ng Iglesia San Pablo by Samuel M. Santos.

[10] Highlights in the History of St Paul United Methodist Church.

[11] http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-PI/USA-P-PI-5.html

[12] http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm#1945

[13]http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1720691/k.B5CB/History_Our_Story.htm

[14] Via a short interview with Cirilo Kasiguran, Jr.

[15] Highlights in the History of St Paul United Methodist Church.

[16] Highlights in the History of St. Paul United Methodist Church

[17] St Paul Grade School – Tondo Students’ Handbook.