Difference between revisions of "File:Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish 2.jpg"

The Old Catholic church of the parish was built by the Augustinians during the Spanish regime. It has a shape of a Latin cross with three gates; it is 77 meters long and 14 meters wide. Its roof was made of cogon grass but according to the legend, the monkey pet of a priest burned it and since then the church has remained unfinished.

The beautiful grotto inside the ruins was made by an architect, Fr. Richard Kemperman, MHM. He beautified, inaugurated and blessed the church on February 11. 1940, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The church was neglected when the Japanese forces invaded the province of Antique. Post-war, a Eucharistic celebration is being held every February 11.

The belfry towering the old structure was built when Fr. Cornelius de Wit, MHM became parish priest in 1954. The statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette were moved to the south gate under the regency of Fr. John Daly, MHM in 1961.

In 1972, San Pedro became the farmer’s center of the Diocese. Fr. Gerard Pijnappel, MHM put up buildings on the left and right side of the church in order to house farmers when seminars and trainings were conducted.

After long been neglected, Fr. Glicerio Geremia was assigned to the parish and tried to restore the spiritual value of this historical landmark. Architect Harold Tating and his sister implemented the priest’s plan of improving the interior of the church and the grotto of our Lady of Lourdes. These were all done with the help of the Parish Pastoral Council, different organizations and generous people who conducted several fundraising activities.

The Knights of the Sacred Heart of Jesus cleared the site inside the old church and a new floor was laid together with flowers, grasses and ornamental plants donated by the parishioners. The statues of our Lady of Lourdes (place on an elevated mound) and St. Bernadette were placed back to their original position. A pond was dug with water flowing from the top of the mound and later new iron gates and illumination were provided.