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BRIEF HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CABANATUAN CITY
BRIEF HISTORY OF METHODISM IN CABANATUAN The story of how Methodism arduously gains a foothold in the former town of Cabanatuan, now dubbed the biggest little city in the Philippines, is quite an interesting one. It is a glowing account of the labors of the undaunted heroes of the faith. The Methodist Church concentrated its evangelistic work in Central Luzon in compliance with an agreement entered into by various denominations in the Philippines. The denominations which organized themselves into an Evangelical Union on April 24-26, 1901 that the Methodist Mission shall concentrate its work in the province of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Bataan and Zambales. The other denominations were to bring the gospel to other parts of the country. This was done to avoid the duplication of missionary work and the enervating competition among the denominations. The first American Methodist missionaries started their evangelical activities in the old town of San Isidro, then the capital town of Nueva Ecija, in the early 1900s. Thus, historic San Isidro became the first town in the province ever to accept the faith. From this town, the fearless and zealous Methodist missionaries fanned out into the nearby other towns and established churches in Penaranda, Gapan, San Antonio, and Cabanatuan. November, 1904 is a memorable period to the faithful of Cabanatuan because it was during this month and year that earnest evangelic work officially commenced in the town. The Rev. Cirilo Kasiguran, an intrepid and eloquent Pilipino preacher from Tondo, Manila, formally began the task of bringing the gospel to the town people of Cabanatuan. There was a lot a lot the gospel to the townspeople of Cabanatuan. There were a lot of problems, some of them very serious, encountered by the early preachers but it is consoling to note that Methodism flourished in the town without any rabid and violent opposition. This Carreons, probably due to the fact that the first converts -- the Carreons, the Sta. Romanas, the Sotos, and others -- belong to the elite of the place. The growth of Methodism in Cabanatuan was relatively fast. Ina little more than two years, Rev. William H.Teeter, then Superintendent for the District of Nueva Ecija, was able to dedicate in January, 1907 a chapel put up by the new Methodist Christians in the yard of the Carreons. After a period, the chapel was moved to a more spacious place, the lot of the Sotos along Del Pilar Street. In the ensuing years, the number of those embracing the faith grew steadily that it became necessary to have a bigger lot and a more roomy and durable sanctuary to worship in. As a manifestation of their profound faith, close relatives of the Carreons donated a choice corner lot of the Sanciangco and Del Pillar Streets. On this lot was constructed the first semi-permanent Methodist chapel facing the busiest street of the town at that time, the destruction wrought by the Second World War and natural calamities. It was only torn down to give way for a more durable place of worship. The destitution and privations brought about by the war years did not lessen a bit the faith, dedication, loyalty, and zeal of the unshaken and staunch believers. Instead, it seemed that they had developed a closer affinity with God for in the years that followed after the war, a more rapid growth in the number of believers was noted, and greater efforts were exerted towards the constructions of a much bigger, more imposing, and more permanent place of worship. Towards this end, a resourceful minister, the late Rev. Jose Gamboa, Sr. started in 1949 a fund campaign for the construction of a better sactuary of God. The faithful members respondent so enthusiastically that by 1953 the accumulated fund unable the new minister, Rev. Leopoldo Nicolas, to tear down the old building and to start the erection of the new chapel. The project, however, was only in its skeletal stage when Rev. Nicolas was assigned to serve in another place. The slow but steady construction was continued by three ministers in succession -- Rev. Leonardo Feleo (1954), Rev. Meynardo Jose (1957 - 1961), and Rev. Brigido Villanueva, with the assistance of the late Rev. Donato Capule Sr., that the imposing concentrates edifice was finally completed and painted. The erection of the new temple of God was made possible through special offerings, fund campaigns, and voluntary contributions. It shouyld be mentioned in passing that Atty. and Mrs. Lauro Sansano of Guimba donated a substantial amount for the construction of the beautiful altar. There was also a loan from the Williams Loan Fund of New York managed by the Central Conference in the Philippines. The Loan amounted to P35, 000.00 which was paid by installment. The four ministers who exerted great efforts towards the punctual and early payment of the loan were Rev. Nonato Vingco (1965), Rev. Osiasis Fajardo (1965-69), Rev. Marcelino M. Casuco (1969-72), and Rev. Eugenio G. Mendillo (1972-82). It was Rev. Mendillo who made special efforts to raise funds from the members to be able to settle the unpaid balance. Finally, the obligation was paid to the last centavo one year before the stipulated date of paying the last amortization. Hence, the beautiful concrete church edifice was fittingly dedicated in 1975 by Bishop Paul Locke Grannadosin, assisted by Rev. Brigido Villanueva, The Nueva Ecija Superintendent and under whose term the building was completed. The sanctuary was renamed the United Methodist City Temple upon its completion. It is heartening to note that the membership and Sunday attendance rose upward when the new house of worship had been seen rising majestically in the heart of Cabbanatuan City. Going along with increase membership was the improvement of the church finances. In the late seventies, the City Temple rank second in the entire Philippines Annual Conference in quote giving to district funds. In 1972, the budget was P72, 000.00. Today, the United Methodist City Temple is marching onward on a budget of P131, 000.00 thanks to the able leadership of the Finance Committee Chairman, Mr. Pantas V. Macapagal. Another important project that the Temple is undertaking is the construction of a four-story concrete parsonage and Bethany Child Development Center building. The laying of the cornerstone was done in a simple ceremony in the middle of1980. Under the initiative of the inimitable Rev. Eugenio Mendillo, the construction has been mainly financed by the proceeds from beauty contests under the edges of the Bethany Child Development Center. The original outlay was P500, 000.00. So far, P350, 000.00 was already spent and about 70 percent of the building had been completed. That was before the galloping infatuations set in. With the skyrocketing prices of building materials and cost of labor the project will cost much more. However, only the finishing touches now will be attended to. This building can be attribute to the indefatigable Rev. Mendillo who, in cooperation with the Temples leaders and members, masterminded the erection of the very durable personage and education buildings. Today, the United Methodist City Temple is a shining symbol of Gods presence in Cabanatuan City. Through its members composed of educators, lawyers, nurses, men in the public service, and other professionals and individuals and coupled with the presence of Wesleyan University-Philippines, the influence of Methodism in the City as well as in the province is keenly felt and cannot just be ignored. If Methodism has been making great strides in the City of Cabanatuan and is steadily marching onward with Christ at the head, this is to do the blessing of God and the profound faith, dedication, enthusiasm, perseverance, and sacrifices of the following ministers, pastors, Bible women, and deaconesses who bravely faced the attendant problems and difficulties of their calling and spent the most productive parts of their lives in the ministry especially in Cabanatuan City. The United Methodist City Temple continues to improve its fixtures and features. In January, 1986, under the leadership of Dr. Jose F. Calderon, Engr. Felimon Domingo and Engr. Benny Agulan a big neon-lighted transparent plastic cross was constructed at the altar with a marble background at a cost of P7, 000.00 to replace the old granite drape. The amount was collected from the members who manifested their faith through their contributions. The construction of the big cross at the altar was than during the time of Rev. Macelo Galema. Another facility That the City Temple as able to acquire is a jeep costing P30,000.00 to be used as a school bus by the Bethany Child Development Center. The amount was big one in July, 1988, the time the jeep was acquired under the urging of Rev. Romeo Miguel, The resident minister at the time. The amount was collected again from the members who were just willing to give their share of the cost. Among the big givers Atty. Rodolfo Beltran and wife Dra. Trinidad V. Beltran and Engr. and Mrs.Felimon Domingo. Each couple gave P5,000.00. The purchase price of the jeep was collected through ArmandoAbesamis. This was the first the first time that the City Temple was able to buy a jeep for its kindergarten and other services. Another onwards leap of the City Temple was the great improvement in its finances from a budget of P130, 000.00, it almost doubled in only five years.
Pastors, Asst. Ptr., Deaconesses, Woman Workers
Addition to the list of Pastors: 1980 Rev. Romeo Miguel 1987 Rev. Romeo Miguel Rev. Abelardo Pascual Associate Pastor 1980 Rev. Alberto Macaso Miss Conchita Marcelo Miss Florida Corpuz Miss Erlinda Azurin Miss Florida Corpuz Minister/Pastor and Starting Year of Service 1904 Pastor Cirilo Kasiguran Pastor Dumlao 1909 Pastor Santiago Soriano 1910 Pastor Victorino Jorda 1913 Pastor Santiago Soriano 1914 Pastor Dionicio Guillermo 1920 Pastor Victorino Jorda Pastor Francisco Galvez 1923 Pastor Esteban Cruz 1925 Pastor Vicente Amoz 1926 Pastor Ulpiano de Pano 1927 Pastor Clemente Zuniga 1932 Pastor Benito Reyes 1933 Pastor Guilermo Manuel 1935 Pastor Laurencio Garcia 1936 Rev. Benjamin Guansing 1948 Rev. Jose Gamboa, Sr. 1952 Rev. Deogracias Angeles 1953 Rev. Leopoldo Nicolas 1954 Rev. Leonardo Feleo 1955 Rev. Leopoldo Nicolas 1957 Rev. Meynardo Jose 1961 Rev. Brigido Villanueva Rev. Donato Capule, Sr. Mrs. Vincing Jose 1965 Rev. Danato Vengco 1966 Rev. Osias Fajardo Deaconess/Bible woman and Startting Year of Servive 1913 Miss Ines Santiago 1914 Miss Flora Galang 1920 Miss Raymunda Robles 1921 Miss Guadalupe de Castro 1924 Miss Leona Marcelino 1925 Paulina Encarnacion 1927 Miss Marcela Mendoza 1930 Miss Abegail de Castro 1931 Miss Adela Guansing 1934 Miss Rezalina Gatdula Kindergarten 1935 Miss Francisca Payawal Miss Emerenciana Francisco Kindergarten 1936 Anastacia Sto. Domingo 1938 Miss Eleonor Padilla 1944 Rev. Ruben Candelaria 1946 Miss Pelen Manabat 1948 Miss Ester Graza 1955 Miss Prudencia Datu 1957 Miss Consolascion Mangiduyos 1961 Miss Aracli Grospe 1963 Miss Lema Francisco 1965 Mrs. Erlinda Vengco 1966 Mrs. Magdalena Mendillo Kindergarten 1967 Miss Erlinda Liwanag Kindergarten 1969 Mrs. Guadalupe Gamboa 1970 Miss Aurora Rigos 1973 Miss Jacinta Pascua 1975 Miss Rosita Obedoza Kindergarten 1976 Mrs. Magdalena Mendillo Deaconess-Kindergarten 1983 Miss Rosa Carpio Deaconess-Kindergarten 1984 Miss Valentina Lorenzo Deaconess-Kindergarten Present "May God bless them all" Another big leap this year of the City Temple is the acquisition of a new school jeep for the Bethany Child Developmental Center costing P20, 000.00. The Committee in charge of purchasing the jeep is Dr. Jose F. Calderon. Other leaders who gave their all-out support to the acquisition of the school jeep are Dr. Donato Capule Jr. in his capacity as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Dr. Trinidad V. Beltran, in he capacity as the Chairperson of the Kindergarten of the Finance Committee. The jeep has been acquired mainly due to the strong financial standing of the City Temple and the will-proposed of the members to give their full support to the project, financial or otherwise.
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