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Bayombong United Methodist Church

A Brief History

by Rev. Francisco C. Galam, et al.

Methodist missionaries preached in Bayombong as early as 1907 almost 9 years after the first evangelical sermon was delivered by Bishop James M. Thoburnat the Azcarraga Theater in Manila. But the first converts were baptized on October 31, 1916.

The Gospel Jubilee which marked the baptism of these first converts was held on May 30, 1965, coincidentally marking also the ministerial witness of the Rev. Mariano L. Gines who had been our longest serving pastor.

Methodism reached this part of the country through the zeal of the Rev. Dr. Widdoes and Dr. Charles Bernhardt, the earliest American missionaries who came to Cagayan Valley via Aparri, Cagayan. Later on Dr. B. O. Paterson, District Superintendent of Pangasinan came with Pastor Mauricio Loriaand other missionaries to sustain mission work in what is now the modern Provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

The guidance of the Holy Spirit enabled them to win the friendship, admiration and acceptance of the old Servando Gelacio, a barrio leader, who opened his heart and house for the preaching of the gospel.

Although it was hard for them to invite the barrio people due to their indifference to the "Protestants" who were usually branded as "heretics", there were those who regularly attended the preaching and Bible Studies conducted by Pastor Loria. God used him from there and the first converts yielded a handful in the persons of Servando Gelacio, Caridad de Guzman, Vicente Callores, Toribia Castriciones, Felipe Castriciones, Juan Aquino, Pablo Lantion and Braulio Umaguing.

It was quite hard to convince Mrs. Francisca Cutaran Lantion, the lovable wife of Mr. Pablo Lantion. But God has sealed her life and became the zealous "Paul" of La Torre, visiting and inviting friends to hear God's word. Her well-loved leadership helped much in the progress of Pastor Loria's work in planting the "seed of life" in the heart of the barrio people.

Later, they were found preaching in the poblacion where die-hard Roman Catholics stoned and cursed them in their religious meetings. But the Holy Spirit persistently bade them to continue their mission, enduring whatever derisions they heard and bravely withstanding the stoning, instead, evermore praying for God's forgiveness for them. These preaching yielded another set of converts in the persons of Mrs. Carmen Lopez-Cuisia, Ernesto Cuisia, Fernando C. Gauuan, Mrs. Maria N. Tiam-Gauuan, Basilio Ramirez, Ciriaco Fabian, Mrs. Gavina Fabian and Mrs. Ursula Ramirez. Through the indefatigable efforts of Pastor Loria who preached as far as Bonfal, the LORD found Francisco dela Cruz and his wife Mariana, who donated a lot for the chapel there.

The continuous visitation of Dr. B. O. Paterson, intensified the preaching of the LORD's Gospel in La Torre and Bayombong proper. Through their fiery spirit, God led them to spread the Gospel as far as Solano, Bintawan, Murong, and Bambang. The converts of La Torre, under the leadership of Mrs. Francisca C.Lantion, regularly visited Murong. They led to the feet of the LORD Apo Cosme A. Afalla who later donated a portion of his land to the Murong and Bagabag Methodist Churches. His daughter Emilia graduated from Harris Memorial Training School in 1925 and was among the earliest deaconesses to serve in the area.

Mrs. Lantion's house was the regular place of worship in Bayombong. Therein gathered the early converts for Bible classes, who likewise became the nucleus of United Methodist believers in the entire Province of Nueva Vizcaya.

Evangelism and education were the twin emphasis of the church. The impact of the preaching of Dr. Paterson, Pastor M. Loria, Pastor Felipe Marquez and other lay preachers, brought about new converts among the elite in the poblacion of Bayombong such as Roy D. Bennett, a Thomasite American educator, and his wife who were baptized as members of the Bayombong Methodist Church in 1924.

Soon, the Sunday Worship Services were transferred to a humble Bamboo Chapel which was constructed on a lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fernando C. Gauuan. The Sunday School Classes were organized and many came to attend. A ministry to students was opened using the building where Mrs. Carmelita B. Dumlao's house is now located as a meeting place for Bible Studies.

Also historically important was the construction of the Gray Stone Chapel conceived by Miss Wilhelmina Erbst, the first lady missionary assigned in Nueva Vizcaya. With its indefatigable motto Live to Learn, Learn to Live, the chapel served as a student training center on Tuesdays and Thursdays after classes. A dormitory for girls and lady teachers was also started, i.e., The Wilhelmina Erbst Girl's Dormitory, which served as a home away from home and is now the present site of the United Methodist Christian School of Bayombong, Inc.

The linguistic and musical talents of Rev. Laureano Mari and Rev. Gregorio Vergara added another historical milestone in the production of a Gaddang Hymnal which was circulated among the converts through the concerted efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Luis Danguilan, Mesdames Dominga Cristobal, Vidal Cabauatan, Angustia D. Maddela, Fidela Abesamis, Aleja C. Rojas, Emilia Toquero Afalla-Gauuan, and Messrs. Ambrocio Abesamis, Manuel Fernandez, Vicente Tiam Gauuan, Sr. The compassionate zeal of these leaders brought more soul to Jesus in La Torre, Bayombong, Murong, Bintawan, Bonfal, Bambang and McDew.

The crowded worship services and growing membership necessitated bigger church facilities. In anticipation of this, the old church lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. Fernando C. Gauuan was sold. And with the proceeds together with a sizeable amount donated by the members, a bigger lot with a 2-storey building was purchased from Assemblyman Wenceslao Valera through the intercession of Roy D. Bennett. This is the present site of the church, which faces the old Provincial Capitol Building (now a museum).

The ground floor of this 2-storey building was used as the place of worship while the upper floor served as the parsonage for some years. A final plan to construct a permanent church building was approved during the Quarterly Conference of the Church Board held on October 5, 1935 and presided by the Rev. Mariano L. Gines, newly appointed District Superintendent.

Another enduring mark in our Church History took place when the Kindergarten work was started by Miss Anita Cuisia who was deaconess of the church. In the same year, the Children's Department was constructed with Rev. Aniceto U. Jerusalem then as newly appointed pastor.

The members next pursued the construction of the new church edifice. The leadership of Atty. Eleodoro Benitez, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the cooperation of the laity (Dr. and Mrs. Baltazar Karganilla, husband-wife teams of Ernesto Cuisia, Salvador Rojas, Eugenio Tolentino, Ciriaco Fabian, Juan Jimenez, Nataniel Alvarez, Leodegario Magtira, Ambrocio Abesamis, Pablo Lantion, Vicente Tecson, Engr. and Mrs. A. Tallow, Atty. Guillermo E. Bongolan, Dr. Roman Rimorin, Rev. and Mrs. Gines, Rev. and Mrs. Jerusalem, Mrs. Asterio Saquing, Mr. S. Caldio and the Marzan’s) saw themselves hauling stones, gravel and sand with their bull carts. Mr. Benito Tumaliuan was master carpenter and Apo Fernando C. Gauuan and their children Vicente Sr. and others donated first class timber posts for the building.

The first foundation stone for the building was laid in a fitting ceremony on July 3, 1937 in the presence of Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Tuck and Dr. and Mrs. B. O. Paterson. More aid came after the visit of Bishop Edwin F. Lee. An unforgettable gift of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Bernhardt of P1,200.00 surprised the members that they, too, vowed to give more. Mr. Domingo Baluyan, a Retired Public School teacher, recounted:

"The construction was completed in 1939 which the first Northern Philippines Annual Conference used in the valley. It is regretted, however, that the beautiful Church building did not last long, for it was destroyed during the Second World War…”For church reconstruction,“the Church applied for assistance from the Mission Board through Dr. E. E. Tuck for which the amount of P20,000.00 for Church building and P5,000.00 for parsonage, was granted. Since then, the Church building had undergone renovations."

In addition to building improvement, several innovations in church worship and practices had been implemented, the most notable of which Rev. Mariano Gines (our Pastor Emeritus) introduced, i.e., the Cross was adopted in 1939; Harvest Festival in 1947; services at the cemetery every November 1st; Pre-Christmas Morning Services; the use of the candles in 1957; and the display of the Philippine and Christian Flags in the Church Sanctuary (a donation by Atty. and Mrs. Guillermo E. Bongolan).

Methodism in Bayombong responded to critical issues affecting church and society. It opposed the Bill on Compulsory Religious Instruction in the Public Schools, which was endorsed to the National Assembly on April 24, 1938. Other resolutions favorable to the improvement of social services and regeneration of morals have also been made.

The membership of the church in 1938, which included the barangays (villages) of Bonfal and Busilac, was 387 with an annual budget of P316.00. When church members from Bonfal and Busilac formed their respective churches in 1974, the membership of The United Methodist Church of Bayombong was 517 members with an annual budget of P22,000.00.

After the Second World War, a flurry of physical developments occurred with the following highlights:

the renovation and expansion of the Educational Building under the able leadership of Engr. Nicanor Martinez assisted by the over-all Chairman on projects, Teofilo G. Guillermo;
the painting of the whole church building with the 50% counterpart of Atty. Jose D. Calderon and Vice-Governor Betty Calderon;
the permanent renovation of the chancel and the sanctuary under the chairmanship of Pedro F. Fabian and the assistance of Teofilo G. Guillermo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Macario Dadufalsa and Engr. Alfredo Domingo, who also donated the amount necessary for its painting. The total improvements costing P18,000 was raised by the members of the church themselves with Rev. Benjamin A. Justo as resident minister, and the then District Superintendent, Rev. Francisco C. Galam.

These were all done to provide a better place for worship and prepare for the hosting of the Northeast Philippines Annual Conference on May 26-30, 1971.

From the 1980’s to the new Millenium, a spurt of renovation and construction activities ensued, the most notable of which were:

Erection of the Calata Hall (costing P150,000) donated by Froilan “Papa Ilan” Calataand Mrs. Dolores “Mama Lou” Calata in 1984;
Renovation and expansion of the Kindergarten Building (1989);
Renovation of the Dormitory Building and its conversion into a school (1993);
Construction a new church building started in 2001. It is estimated to cost P20 Million out of which P12 million had been raised as of 2012.

Through the years, the dynamism of the Church Council and the dedication and sacrifices of the church members have ensured that the spiritual, social and material goals of the churchare achieved. The Church Council have been faithfully led by the following Chairpersons:

1959 - Teofilo Gavina Guillermo

1960-1969 - Froilan Bayaua Calata
1970-1980 - Pedro Fabian Fabian
1981-1984 - FroilanBayauaCalata
1985-1989 - Perfecto Bullecer Martinez, Jr.
1990-1995 - Lourdes Robles-Galam
1996-2014 - Junifen Franco Gauuan
2015-present - Nathanael Bartolazo Vidad