TUGUEGARAO CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
15 A. Bonifacio St. Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines 3500
CHURCH HISTORY
Pioneers:
Jose Gunnacao, Pedro Addatu, Francisco Bunagan, Tomas Calagui, Vicente Soriano, Mariano Pagulayan, Domingo Bancud, Domingo Malana, Francisco Gumacad, Reymundo Dulin; from Barangay Ugac - Santiago Bancud, Joaquin Maggay, Silvestre Marallag; from Barangay Buntun - Juan Labay, Saturnina Tumbali and Fortunato Lasam.
1906 - Methodism was the first Protestant Church that reached Tuguegarao. A few embraced the faith when it was preached to the people.
1906 - 1911 - These years saw the difficulties of the early Tuguegarao Methodists who came not from the Poblacion but from the barrios. They experienced in no small measure bitter trials, persecutions and humiliations. Meetings and worship services were held at night to avoid people throwing stones at them. In 1908, a big flood in Cagayan occurred and the Methodists were branded as "heretics" and were blamed for it. Some of them were even put to jail. Rev. Oscar Huddlestone, American missionary, came from Manila and arranged for their release.
These were some of the people who stood their grounds in defense of the Faith: from Barangay Cataggaman - Jose Gunnacao, Pedro Addatu, Francisco Bunagan, Tomas Calagui, Vicente Soriano, Mariano Pagulayan, Domingo Bancud, Domingo Malana, Francisco Gumacad, Reymundo Dulin; from Barangay Ugac - Santiago Bancud, Joaquin Maggay and Silvestre Marallag; from Barangay Buntun - Juan Labay, Saturnina Tumbali and Fortunato Lasam.
Lay people who were strangers in Tuguegarao notably, Aguido de Leon, Filomeno Galang and Leon Carino, led the work.
1911 - Work was opened in the poblacion by Pastors Filomeno Galang and Leon Carino. The fruits of their labor included among others: Isidro Reyes, Bonifacio Mequi, Juan Callangan, Marcelo Adduru and Emilio Panaga.
The 2nd generation families of these men became the core of membership of the Tuguegarao Church. The first appointed Pastor of Tuguegarao was Rev. Tomas Altamero.
1912 - From this year onwards pastors were regularly assigned, the longest term was by Rev. Jose L. Valencia, from 1932-1946.
1930 - A girl's dorm was erected with Mrs. Maria Addatu Reyes as dean.
1941 - 1946 - World War II destroyed the semi-permanent church building and members continued their worship in the house of Mr. & MRs. Bonifacio Mequi.
1947 - A temporary church was built and was later made permanent with crusade funds under the supervision of Mr. Jose Simangan, a lay leader.
1951 - A kindergarten school was opened to serve the community.
1964 - 1966 - The church was reconstructed to accommodate growing membership under the leadership of Mr. & Mrs. Potenciano Ramirez. The kindergarten school was re-opened by the Rev. & Mrs. Norman D. Case. This school served the community. Miss Willa Udarbe was the first kindergarten teacher. Most of the enrollees (which is still true to this day) were non-members. At this time, San Esteban, Iguig became an extension work of the church with a student pastor, Mila Mabassa, as its first worker. The 55th anniversary of the church was celebrated on the completion of the church building that was started in 1964.
1980 - The Tuguegarao church joined Philippine Methodism in celebrating its 80th year of presence in the Philippines with a radio program, a parade and convocation with Monsignor Domingo Mallo of the Roman Catholic Church as guest speaker. He underscored the great contribution of Methodism to the spiritual growth and nurture of the Filipinos and to the attainment of a peaceful and God fearing nation.
1983 - Intensive Evangelistic Campaign was held at Iguig and later followed by the construction of a church building made of light materials.
1984 - The church building of Tuguegarao was expanded with the addition of a new wing to accommodate the growing number of Methodists flocking to the town. The building was finished in time for the holding of a Missionary Convention. The project was headed by the Board Chairperson, Mayor Apolonio B. Reyes, coupled with the enthusiasm of the resident minister, Rev. Hermenegildo J. Cueto and the members. At this time the Tuguegarao-born members were being out-numbered by the migrants and new converts which necessitate the opening of an Ilocano Sunday Service in addition to the already existing Ibanag and English services.
1986 - A primary school was opened through the inspiration and help of Dr. Thelma R. Gonzaga. Miss Delilah J. Caypono was the first teacher. Rev. Hermenegildo J. Cueto was the Administrative Pastor.
October 4, 1987 - In conjunction with the church anniversary celebration, the cornerstone of the Primary School was laid with Bishop Jose l. Valencia, leading the ceremonies.
1988 - Cataggaman was opened as an extension of the church with Rev. Lilian B. Narciso as worker.
1991 - Complete Elementary School was established.
1993 - The parsonage was demolished and relocated at the back of the church to accommodate the growing need for space of the Tuguegarao Methodist Christian School under the leadership of Rev. Elwin C. Tolentino.
1995 - A feasibility study to put up a 4-storey Commercial School Building was began under the leadership of Prof. Samuel E. Gaspar and presented to the Annual Conference with the assistance of the Associate Pastor and the AB chairperson, Mrs. Justa B. Udarbe. This plan was approved by the NPAC in its session at Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
1996 - A three million loan from the Metrobank Tuguegarao branch was approved with Dr. Thelma Gonzaga, chairperson NPAC BOT and D.S. Oscar Ferrer, member, representing the NPAC Board of Trustees as signatories.
1997 - On January 3, 1997 the cornerstone of a four-storey Commercial Building was laid. The following persons were designated in charge of the project by the Tuguegarao AB; Edmundo Udarbe Jr., as the architect, Dominador Claudio as the Project Engineer and Engineer Roger Agustin as Consultant, Mrs. Samia A. Henrage provided constatnt suggestions for the good of the building construction.
On December 8, 1997 a celebration of Thanksgiving was held with Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, who led and officiated in the Dedication of the completed 2 storey Commercial/School Building, Phase 1 of the 4 storey Building Project.
1998 - The name Tuguegarao UMC was changed to Tuguegarao Central United Methodist Church by an action of the NPAC on April 3, 1998 at Dacal-Masisit, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
Roll of Workers:
Ministers:
1911 - 1913 - Tomas Altamero
1913 - 1915 - Demetrio Taguba
1915 - 1920 - Ciriaco Inis
1920 - 1929 - Tomas Altamero
1931 - 1932 - Benito Tovera
1932 - 1946 - Jose L. Valencia
1946 - 1949 - Jacinto Jerusalem
1949 - 4months - Felix Gorospe
1949 - 1951 - Setgio Gonzaga
1951 - 1953 - William Pickard
1953 - 1957 - Pedro Daludado
1957 - 1959 - Eliseo Cortes
1959 - 1962 - Victor Cortes
1962 - 1964 - Jaime Vergara, Jr.
1966 - 1968 - Norman Case
1968 - 1971 - Tomas Tangonan
1971 - 1975 - Hermenegildo J. Cueto
1975 - 1977 - Jaime Vergara, Sr.
1977 - 1978 - Job A. Tacadena
1978 - 1982 - Fidel M. Ferrer
1982 - 1989 - Hermenegildo J. Cueto
1989 - 1992 - Oscar C. Ferrer
1992 - 1994 - Elwin C. Tolentino
1994 - 1996 - Fidel M. Ferrer
1996 - 1999 - Hermenegildo J. Cueto
Associate Ministers:
1982 - 1983 - Rebecca Jurado
1983 - 1985 - Levi Gaspar
1985 - 1989 - Lilian Narciso
1989 - 1992 - Rebecca Jurado
1992 - 1994 - Modesta Miguel
1992 - 1996 - Hermenegildo J. Cueto
1995 - 1999 - Bonifer B. Baquiran
1996 - 1999 - Modesta Miguel
Deaconess/Woman Worker (1911-1930)
Mamerto Jaramillo
Tita Umengan
Bartolome Adduru
Gliceria Panaga
Timoteo Daguna
Jovita Tiburcio
Macaria Daguna
Maria Addatu
Josefa Lasam
Esperanza Bermejo
Generosa Dumaual
Andrea dela Cruz
Deaconess/Woman Workers (1930-1938)
1930 - 1932 - Jovita Daggao
1930 - 1931 - Visitacion Arellano
1931 - 1934 - Generosa Dumaual
1934 - 1936 - Francisco Guntang
1936 - 1938 - Generosa Dumaual
WORLD WAR II
Deaconess/Woman Workers (1948-1970)
1948 - 1950 - Olympia Taguba
1950 - 1951 - Buena G. Tovera
1951 - 1953 - Rebecca Garcia
1953 - 1955 - Dorinda Umengan
1955 - 1956 - Eugenia Adduru
1956 - 1959 - Josefa Inovejas
1959 - 1962 - Josefina Aragones
1962 - 1964 - Willa Udarbe
1964 - Cosmedin Palogan
1964 - 1966 - Violeta Olonan
1966 - 1967 - Rhoda Taguba
1966 - 1967 - Lilia Erana
1967 - 1968 - Evangeline Carao
1971 - 1972 - Lydia Caypono
June to October - Jimena Rigor
1972 - 1973 - Evangeline Rapanut - CE
Vidolina Cueto - Kindergarten
1973 - 1975 - Elvira Adduru
1975 - 1976 - Glorina Forneas
Cosmedin Palogan
1976 - 1977 - Saturnina Maggay
1977 - 1978 - Zenaida Egipto
Rhoda Taguba
1979 - 1981 - Elvira Adduru
1981 - 1982 - Mary Ann Visaya
Edna Inis
1982 - 1984 - Evelyn Guerrero
Leonar Tacadena
1984 - 1985 - Mary Ann Visaya
1985 - 1986 - Claribel Osalla
1986 - 1988 - Evelyn G. Cagurangan
1988 Josefina Julian
1989 - 1994 - Lolita E. Maggay
1994 - 1995 - Evelyn Aquino
MISSIONARIES
Rev. Snyder
Rev. Kingsey
Rev. Cederholm
Rex R. Moe
Joseph Mopore
Herbert Riley
Wilhelmina Erbst
Ruth Atkins
Virginia Hayes
Armenia Thompson
Anna Carson
Ruth Atkins
POST-WORLD WAR II
Curran Spottswood
William Pickard
Norman Case (1959-1968)
Carol Moe
Ruth Atkins
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