St. Mary Magdalene Church

St. Mary Magdalene Church, commonly known as Kawit Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Poblacion, Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. Built originally in 1624 and rebuilt in its present form in 1737-1738, it is notable for its brick and stone Baroque architecture and its association with Emilio Aguinaldo, who was baptized there. The church serves as the spiritual center of Kawit and is recognized as a significant heritage and pilgrimage site in Cavite.

Visitors can expect a historic brick and stone church with a simple Baroque facade, a single bell tower, and an interior with a vaulted ceiling, main altar dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and side altars. The grounds include a churchyard and plaza area. Inside, visitors can see religious images, stained glass, and the preserved baptismal font associated with Emilio Aguinaldo. The setting is in the town center of Kawit, surrounded by municipal buildings and heritage houses, with a calm atmosphere for prayer, sightseeing and photography.

The parish was established by the Jesuits in 1624 under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene. The present church was built between 1737 and 1738. It was damaged during the British occupation in 1762 and repaired thereafter. The church is historically noted as the baptismal site of Emilio Aguinaldo on March 23, 1869, and has served as the central parish church of Kawit for nearly four centuries.

The church is the spiritual center for Catholics in Kawit and is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, whose feast day on July 22 is celebrated annually with religious processions and town festivities. It functions as a parish church of the Diocese of Imus and as a heritage and pilgrimage site reflecting Spanish colonial religious architecture and local devotion.