Our Lady of Light Parish Church

Cainta Church, ecclesiastically known as Our Lady of Light Parish Church stands as one of the oldest churches established in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is located along Andres Bonifacio Avenue in Barangay San Andres. The church also operates a neighboring school, Cainta Catholic College.From its time of erection as a parish in 1760 until 1983, it belonged to the Archdiocese of Manila. It was placed under the newly created Diocese of Antipolo in 1983, which is now headed by Most Rev. Gabriel V. Reyes, together with his Auxiliary Bishop Francisco M. De Leon. The present parish priest is Rev. Fr. Nolly C. Buco, JCD.HistoryThe stone church of Cainta was first built by Fr. Gaspar Marco, a Jesuit priest in 1707, which was initially named after its patron Saint Andrew the Apostle. The construction of the stone church was designed by Fr. Juan de Salazar, S.J. and was completed during the time of Joaquin Sanchez, S.J. in 1716 while he was still the parish priest.In 1727, a painting of Our Lady of Light was brought in from the Kingdom of Sicily (today part of Italy) and was chosen as the new patroness of the church. In 1760, the church was officially declared a separate parish.On February 23, 1853, an earthquake damaged the church building. Its roof and one wall collapsed while the walls of the parish rectory or convent sustained cracks.