MANILA, Philippines - The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) is celebrating its 24th anniversary by formally turning over its renovation project for the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the largest church in all of Cavite, back to its parish in Naic town.
The foundation, a non-government organization supporting apostolic work, strengthened the church’s outer wall structure with limestone and built a new garden and fountain, said Alexander Wongchuking, WCKF executive director.
“We cannot allow this historic church to go into disrepair because it had not only strengthened the Filipino faith but also stands as a mute witness to the martyrdom of the defenders of Philippine freedom and nationhood,†added Wongchuking, recalling the church’s role in the fight for Philippine independence from Spanish, American and Japanese conquerors.
The project was started in June 2013 and completed last February. The symbolic turnover of the neo-Gothic style church will be held on Sunday, the foundation’s 24th anniversary.
On the personal level, Wongchuking said the church had always been near to the hearts of the Wongchuking family and all WCKF board officers and members since Mrs. Nelia Dy Wongchuking, WCKF president and chairman of the board, was born in Naic and traces her roots to the town and its church.