Pililla

Sta. Maria Magdalena Parish

From five indigenous settlements, the first Franciscan missionaries organized a visita of Morong called Pilang-morong, which in 1583 became an independent town. But for lack of personnel, Pililla did not have a resident priest until 1590. The first church was built of cogon and nipa and in 1599, the town received the authorization to construct a church of stone. However, in 1632, church was destroyed during a conflagration that ruined the whole town. A new church was built immediately but it too was destroyed by fire in 1668. Between 1670-73, a new church was completed. In 1848 the altars of the church and the adjacent convento were renovated. Again the church was renovated between 1962-76.

Heritage Features: Like most churches of Laguna, Pililla’s is made of adobe. The church is simple and severe in design, akin in its simplicity to Baras. Although the interior is renovated a few statues from the old church remain.