The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) has declared the 403-year-old Saints Peter and Paul Church in Makati City as an important cultural property.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish (Facebook)

The NMP made the announcement on June 29 to coincide with the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, which is also observed as Pope’s Day.

Mary Jane Louise Bolunia, chief archeologist of the NMP said, the church was declared as an important cultural treasure for its “exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance to the entire country.”

“The parish has stood the test of time and this alone is a testament to Makati’s importance to our life as a nation,” Bolunia said.

“The declaration of this beautiful church is also a way of saying there is so much to discover about Makati’s history and heritage,” she added.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, members of the clergy, and city officials attended the ceremony.

According to the church’s historical marker, the Franciscans were the first missionaries in the area in 1578. The Jesuits built the church in 1620 in honor of St. Peter and administered it until 1768.

Another patron saint, the revered image of Virgin dela Rosa, is also enshrined at the church. The religious icon was brought from Spain via Mexico by a Jesuit priest in 1718.

In 1639, the church was the battleground of political and military turmoil during the Chinese uprising. During the Philippine-American War in 1899, American troops used the church as their headquarters and hospital.

In 1951, two parishes were carved out of St. Peter Church—the San Ildefonso Parish in the barrio of Culi-Culi and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in barrio Guadalupe Viejo.

After the Vatican II in 1965, St. Paul was added as a titular of the church, changing its name to Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church.