Parish Church of Saint Polycarp of CabuyaoParish Church of Saint Polycarp of Cabuyao is a Registered Property, City of Cabuyao, Laguna; Registered Property, Province of Laguna located at Cabuyao City, Laguna, Region IV-A.
The Church of St. Polycarp is significant because it was the site of the bloodiest Sakdalista Uprising against the National Government in Mary 2 and 3, 1935. 56 Cabuyeño members of Sakdal died.
The very first Filipino priest to be ordained, Fr. Blasde Sta. Rosa once served as the parish priest of the Church. According to Dr. Luciana Santiago, Blas de Sta. Rosa was the very first indio to have been ordained and he was assigned Parish priest from 1703 to 1733.
The Church of St. Polycarp has undergone several renovations through the years. The first massive renovation/reconstruction was done in 1972 during the time of Fr. Quirino Gloriosso. The original retablo was demolished and replaced with marble. A new crucified Christ was installed at the center. The church apse as well as the priest's pulpit were likewise demolished. The original vigan/machuca tiles used for the church floor were replaced by crazy cut marbles. Later, in 1999 during the term of Fr. Rolando A. Ardes, he constructed a new retablo where the images of the crucified Christ at the center, the Our Lady of Rosary, and the town's patron saint where enshrined. He also added a big frame bearing the images of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help on the left and the Divine Mercy on the right.
In 1991 during the term of Fr. Rolando Abarca, the century old Acacia tree which was historically significant to the town was felled down. This tree was historical because it was on this tree where the bodies of the 56 Sakdalista members were piled. Later during the time of Mayor Etok Aguillo in 2001, a Marker was installed where the tree used to stand to commemorate the 56 peasant who rebelled against the National Government. It was also during the term of Fr. Abarca when the grotto of the Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed in front of the newly added "convento" or priest house to the left of the altar. The old balusters which were removed in 1972, where the parishioners would receive their communion was used as rails for the stairs in the new convent.
In 2007 during the term of Fr. Edgardo Consignado, the Church patio was cleared and concreted. Even the kubols where the "Pabasa" of the Lord's Passion is held every Holy Thurs was also repainted. A Monument to St. Polycarp's Martyrdom was likewise constructed on the right side of the Church. He also had the interiors of the Church painted with trompe l'oeil.
In 2011 during the time of Fr. Juvenal Leonardo, a mural of St. Polycarp's marytrdom was painted on the left side of the altar and a painting of the apostles with the Holy trinity was added on the dome of the altar.
In 2018 during the time of Fr. Ireneo Oliver, the original Sakdal marker built in 2001 was removed and moved to the right wall of the Patio. The Grotto of Lourdes was likewise renovated and the garden was cemented.