National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures

CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO DEL MONTE

THE SITE WAS DONATED TO THE FRANCISCANS ON FEBRUARY 17, 1590, BY GOVERNOR SANTIAGO DE VERA IN THE NAME OF KING PHILIP II. CHAPELS WERE BUILT OF THATCH AND BAMBOO IN 1590, OF WOOD IN 1593, AND OF VOLCANIC TUFF IN 1599. THE LAST WAS BADLY DAMAGED IN THE CHINESE UPRISING OF 1639. PRESENT CHURCH BUILT FROM 1696 TO 1699, THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF TOMAS DE ENDAYA. TO THIS SITE RETIRED FOR PRAYER AND RECOLLECTION SEVERAL FRANCISCANS WHO SUFFERRED MARTYRDOM IN JAPAN IN THE XVII CENTURY AND OTHERS WHO LEAD MISSIONARY EXPEDITIONS TO JAPAN, CHINA AND CAMBODIA. THE ESCUELA SERAFICA OR PROBATION SCHOOL FOR FILIPINO APPLICANTS TO THE FRANCISCAN ORDER WAS OPENED HERE JULY 16, 1931.