Built in 1778, the church was named after the Archbishop Ildefonso of Toledo, Spain, who was consecrated during the year 657 AD; revered for his spiritual vitality and deep writings contained in “ The Book of the Virginity of Maria”. Behind the heavy stone edifice decorated with Hispanic, archetype windows and stone sculpture of its saint, are legends that found its way to this generation. Tradition has it that an image of theLady of the Immaculate Conception, was found among the belongings of our fleeing forefathers on the onset of the Spanish Invasion in 1573; the same image found among the remnants from the fire that gutted the first church in 1620- a lone survivor! During the Chinese Uprising in 1639, Father Geronimo de Frias hid it in the fields but was later on found by the Chinese rebel who tried to destroy the image, instead to themselves befell violent death. This event took place on the 24 th of February, 1640; hence the annual date for the towns fiesta in honor of its second Patron Saint- The Immaculate Concepcion.

Inside, the antiquated retablos hold a charming aide memoire - scored images of its saints, particularly Saint Ildefonso, enclave in this palatial altar since the 17 th century- their expressive fragile appearances depict sobriety and depth. In its ingrained, graying stonewalls inlay “The Station of the Cross”, a dramatic representation of the great agony of Christ; marching from one station to the next, in waves of glorious rhetoric; sculpted in wood by an unknown native and immortalized in Nick Joaquin’s “Via Crucis”. The ancient Sagragio lain in its respite, in one corner of the Retablo of Juan de Bautista, its aged wooden figure stands firm despite its antiquity. Other 17 th century relics like the venerable and heavy church bells, ancients cisterns for holy water, and the variants of religious figures drawn on its dome-like ceiling are felicitous additions to this elegant and reclusive world; a moment when the onlooker loses himself within the composition that its outcome becomes real!

Passing through its ancient pavements, one finds silent markings on the floor -of ancient headstones where our dead ancestors lain, mostly dated 1905. The sublime reality of their existence is reminiscent of the present time, when people walk to and from these same pathways or stand in awe admiring every detail, every piece of its history embellished in the stone laid by bare hands of our enduring forefathers; the fruit of their labor we harvest in our time; Their humble past becomes the soul that lies within us.

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I passed this church last year. Beautiful. I took some pictures of it.

http://lakwatsero.me/2009/07/13/roadtrip-to-infanta-quezon-july-13-2009/1

Jojo Ayson , June 30, 2010

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Dear Ms. Arlene Icasiano
San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish will have its Souvenir Book for its 400 years. You might just wanted to be part of this book . . .kindly please pass your write ups address to the Parish or drop by personally, it will be highly appreciated, thank you and may God bless you always!
August 07, 2007

... : joC , December 14, 2009

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