St. John Nepomucene's Church

THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN NEPOMUCENE

It was as early as year 1875 when the reigning Gobernadorcillo, Herminigildo Aviñante first suggested to build a stronger church building in exchange for the existing nipa hut chapel. The suggestion was only accomplished in the early years of 1883 when the construction of a stronger church was started when the Parish Priest was Rev. Fr.Candido Valles. The Church was finished after four years during the time of Rev.Fr. Juan Gonzales.

It was built by Filipino and Chinese carpenters but it was greatly destroyed by a strong typhoon in December, 1926.

The ruins were used by the Guerilla Soldiers as hiding place during the Japanese occupation. It was converted into a poultry house after the liberation.

Through the efforts of Rev. Fr. Jose Rementilla, Jr. in 1954, the ruins were rebuilt and renovated with the funding from donations and from the amount gathered from the sales of the lots at the right and back portions of the church’s lot.

During the time of Rev. Fr. Avelino Sapida, with the help of the then very active Cursillistas the interior of the church was renovated. A new altar was built while the walls were cemented. The old convent which was also destructed by typhoon was demolished. The church’s cemetery was sold and the proceeds were used for the building of a new small “convent” and parish hall.

Rev. Fr. Inocencio Poblete initiated the termite treatment of the whole church, supervised the concrete walling of the town plaza which was initiated by Dr. Jett E.Aviñante, Mr. Eneng Hermoso and Engr. Mehn Hermoso with the assistance of Architect Bobby Mojica and Businessman Teofilo Hermoso.

Rev. Fr. Redentor Corpus led the renovation of the roofing and the building of the small Adoration Chapel, later turned into an ordinary prayer room. Rev.Fr. Roel Castañeda widened the parking area and made many improvements at the church plaza.

At the time of Rev.Fr. Herminigildo Asilo the electrical installations were improved and a Church Restoration and Preservation Committee was organized. This Committee exposed the original walls of the church, rebuilt the windows, installed stained glasses and introduced many improvements. When Rev. Fr. Phem Peregrino came the improvements continued. A new though still small convent was built, the parish hall was renovated. Now under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Bernie Gacelo more improvements are being made including the building of a new Arch-gate and the total iron fencing of the whole plaza on top of the original concrete wall.

More than the physical improvements of the Church, all Priests assigned to Alfonso,Cavite, in their own different ways contributed in strengthening the religiosity of the parishioners.