SAN ILDEFONSO PARISH, a part of the Vicariate of the San Jose was built in 1735 from scrap, which at the end looked more of a nipa hut than a chapel. Masses, at that time, were celebrated on Sundays only.
According to the townsfolk of the San Ildefonso Parish, the chapel was created way back the Spanish era, by Buenaventura and Agapita Cruz. The couple gave their land, which has a land area of 435 sq. m. to the Church. After their death, their son Diego, his wife Tasya, along with the “Comite 17” organized the chapel. They, along with the community, built the parish; arranged the fiestas; and enriched the liturgical services.

After the Filipino – American Revolution, the San Ildefonso Chapel was occupied by the Aglipayans during the Aglipayan Schism, in which the image of San Ildefonso was robbed. Even as the Supreme Court ordered the Aglipayans to surrender the chapel, the image was never recovered.

The chapel was rebuilt after the World War Two, and again in 1967, being finished in 1993. It was also in this year that the first Parish Pastoral Council formulated the Bahay Pari, in the course of the leadership of Bro. Luis Gabriel’s leadership.

Through several painstaking events and obstacles, San Ildefonso Parish stands in this new age as an inspiration for the weary souls of Navotas, who yearns for a resting place in God and her church.