St. Isidore Parish – Merida

Spanish missionaries from Ormoc often went to Beta-ug to improve the moral and religious life, and to teach the inhabitants the Catholic faith. Although the houses were far apart, the Spanish priests were able to gather the people together in order to teach them Catholic principles. they were taught Catholic rituals and prayers. The Spanish priests succeeded in their mission and the people embraced the Catholic religion. Years of prosperity followed the conversion of the region to Christianity. The Spanish missionaries introduced religious celebrations.The faithful appreciated these fiestas and adopted the humble farmer, San Isidro Labrador, as its patron, especially that agriculture is the dominant economy of the locality.

May 15 was chosen as the date for celebrating the feast of their Patron Saint. During that time, Merida was a mere visita of the missionaries. As there was no church in Beta-ug, the parishioners went to Ugmok, the mother parish of Merida, to observe holy days of obligation, to attend mass and other religious activities. Merida was part of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Ormoc from 1834 until 1917. In 1917, Merida became an independent parish and was established as a parroquia (parish) under the advocacy of San Isidro Labrador. in the same year, the formal inauguration of the parish took place by virtue of a Real Approbation (Episcopal Decree) by Bishop Pablo Singzon y Baeza (de la Anunciacion), the Bishop of Calbayog. The parish was under the Vicaria Occidental Norte under the Diocese of Calbayog. Rev. Fr. Pelagio Aviles was the first parish curate to be officially assigned in the area.

During his term, the celebration of masses occurred in a small chapel. One account of an elderly person in the parish said that the church was made of light materials, and the convento was in bad condition. The porta mayor of the old church faced the sea. From 1919 onwards, the parish was never without priests ministering to the needs of the laity. The history of the parish is filled with so many stories of individuals and families who have come forward to volunteer. The list of names of those who have assisted in parish administration, religious education, building maintenance, and preparation for the Sacraments, among others, is long. During these more than a hundred years, the parish physical facilities have provided a place for innumerable sacramental, educational, and social activities that have nurtured the spiritual life of the Catholic community in Merida.