Liliw was established as a reduccion by Franciscan priests Juan de Plasencia and Diego Oropesa in 1578.[2] It was annexed as a visita of Nagcarlan until it became an independent parish with Father Miguel de San Lucas as first parish priest in 1605 by the Franciscan missionaries. The first church was built in wood in 1620. A stronger stone church was built from 1643 to 1646 and was partially destroyed during the 1880 Luzon earthquake.[3] It was reconstructed in 1885 and was partially burned in April 6, 1898.[4]