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† Outreach Congregation of Capitol Church

Celebrating its 80th Foundation Anniversary in 1984, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines in San Fernando, La Union selected three growth areas for survey, visitation and nurture. The group in Dallangayan Oeste developed into a worshipping congregation with Sunday afternoon services held in homes and regular offerings of their resources given by the residents in thanksgiving and obedience.

In 1988 Miss Anatalia Marquez declared her donation of a lot for the erection of a chapel in Dallangayan Oeste. The Capitol Church council approved a feasibility study of the proposed building on June 12, 1988. General plans were formulated for a bamboo structure, but after further discussions another plan for a concrete structure was approved for implementation. The Planning Committee was composed of Mrs. Pacita E. Ancheta, Mrs. Justina D. Aquino, Mrs. Nellie C. Ladia, Mr. Ralph L. Rillera, Mrs. Arlene R. Rockwood, Mr. Juan A. Sta. Ana, Jr. and Rev. Romeo G. de Castro.

The church project evolved slowly as the San Fernando congregation doubted the financial capabilities of the Dallangayan Worshipping Congregation. However, the faith commitment of Miss Marquez and Mrs. Milagros Capistrano Ancheta in presenting the first contributions for the building fund finally moved the Church Council on February 19, 1989 into an official action to expedite the securing of the land title and to build a chapel in Dallangayan.

Capitol Church member, architectural graduate Mr. Jonnie Purugganan designed the plans, but the fund reached only P4,500 by April 30. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and managerial expertise, Chairman Sta. Ana charged the Council members to give of their own substance. By June 25 gifts and pledges reached over P17,000. Rev. Romeo G. de Castro assumed the pastoral responsibilities upon the resignation of lay leader Miss Rogelia Macato. Engr. Jesus Nebres headed the Purchase Committee in securing materials. Dallangayan residents toiled diligently to widen a pathway for carrying in the lumber and cement, much of it by hand.

The Groundbreaking was held on October 1, 1989 with the participation of the first lay pastor to Dallangayan, Brother Alexander Ancheta, Marquez family representatives, Capitol Church elders and missionaries, Rev. de Castro and Dallangayan assigned church worker Mrs. Amelia Mapalo. On December 17 one hundred believers of San Fernando and Dallangayan praised God for his wondrous works in a Community thanksgiving with UCCP General Secretary Erme R. Camba as speaker in the nearly completed chapel of low hollow block walls and iron roofing.

When funds were depleted, members and friends renewed their efforts to give each a little more and Rev. de Castro solicited from some non-resident members, until the major part of the total P70,000 cost was realized. The low walls have been plastered and benches created from kneelers of Capitol Church. Only heavy rains and winds could prevent worshippers from attending services through the coming years.

The carpenters of Dallangayan have followed the faithful tradition of their forefather, Mr. Ponciano Marquez, a respected carpenter of the first decade of the 1900’s and one of the first baptized members of the San Fernando church. Elder Mrs. Pacita Ancheta has nurtured the congregation along with Rev. de Castro. The congregation of San Fernando is fulfilling the mandate to go out and make disciples in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ similar to those who did the same dedicated services in founding the first United Brethren Church in San Fernando in 1904.