Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church (Filipino: Parokya ni Santa Maria Magdalena and Simbahan ng Pililla) 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 St. 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.HistoryIn 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.The Franciscan priests led by Fr. Diego de Oropesa and Fr. 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.