Historical Overview of the Central Luzon District (CLD)
The origins of the present Central Luzon District (CLD) can be traced to the establishment of the first three organized churches through the efforts of four American missionaries at the turn of the 20th century:
- Rev. Thomas H. Martin – Gerona Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), March 1902 (Mission years: 1900–1901)
- Bishop Francis W. Warne – Gerona MEC, March 1902
- Rev. Ernest S. Lyons – Paniqui MEC, March 1903
- Chaplain Rev. Joseph J. Clemens – San Juan, Moncada MEC, April 13, 1902 (returned in 1922)
Early mission stations and churches were subsequently established in:
- Camiling (1901, 1905)
- Vargas, SI (1906)
- Padapada, SI (1913?)
- Guimba (1905)
- Cuyapo (1907)
- San Jose – organized by W.A. Goodell (October 1903)
- Muñoz (1914?)
- Moncada (1912)
- Victoria (1912)
From these three mother churches emerged 20 daughter churches, 12 granddaughter churches, and 2 great-granddaughter churches, now comprising 37 local churches under the Central Luzon District.
Formation and Early Development
The Central Luzon District was first organized as the Paniqui District on March 18–25, 1915, under the leadership of Rev. DS Lorenzo Tamayo and Bishop William Perry Eveland, emerging from the 1905 Northern District of the Philippine Island Mission Conference. The district initially covered Ilocano towns in Northern Tarlac, Northern Nueva Ecija, and Eastern Pangasinan.
On February 3, 1945, the Paniqui District was renamed the Central Luzon District under Rev. DS Esteban Guillermo and Bishop Dionisio D. Alejandro. It became part of the 1940 Northern Philippines Annual Conference and was later transferred to the 1949 Northwest Philippines Annual Conference (NWPAC). The district’s territory was then limited to Northern Tarlac and Northern Nueva Ecija.
Reorganization and Expansion
During the 41st Regular Session of NWPAC (June 3–7, 1987), presided over by Bishop Paul Locke A. Granadosin, the Central Luzon District was divided into:
- East Central Luzon District (ECLD)
- West Central Luzon District (WCLD)
Both districts became part of the newly formed Central Luzon Philippines Annual Conference (CLPAC) in 1989. The WCLD consisted of 28 local churches from Northern Tarlac. Rev. DS Samuel C. Garibay was appointed superintendent of WCLD, while Rev. DS Manuel B. Estioko Jr. was appointed to ECLD.
On June 21, 1992, Rev. Josue M. Lacaulan became district superintendent and organized three new local churches:
- Dapdap (1995)
- Sta. Ines Centro (1995)
- Ablang Sapang (1996)
Conference Division and District Realignment
At the 12th Regular Session of CLPAC (May 25–27, 2000), presided over by Bishop Daniel C. Arichea Jr., the conference petitioned for division, which was approved by the Philippine Central Conference (PCC). Two districts in West Central Pangasinan formed the Pangasinan Philippines Annual Conference, while ECLD and WCLD remained under CLPAC. Consequently, the former 1945 Central Luzon District became the Central Luzon Philippines Annual Conference.
During the 16th Regular Session of CLPAC (May 28–30, 2004), under Bishop Benjamin A. Justo, the WCLD—then composed of 45 local churches and led by Rev. DS Esrom S. Sales, who organized 16 new churches—petitioned for another division. The proposal was approved with a one-year preparation period.
The western portion retained the name West Central Luzon District with 22 local churches, while the historic name Central Luzon District (CLD) was restored with 23 local churches:
Ablang Sapang, Bomboneg, Brillante, Cariño, Cayanga, Colibangbang, Dapdap, Dicolor, Gerona, Moncada, Nancamarinan, Nipaco, Pance, Paniqui, Rang-Ayan, San Carlos, San Juan, San Leon, Sinigpit, Sta. Lucia, Sulipa, Tagumbao, and Tubectubang.
The formal creation of the two districts took place during the 18th Adjourned Session of WCLD (May 20–21, 2005). Rev. Wilson G. Vinluan became the first district superintendent of the restored Central Luzon District. Five new local churches were organized:
- Malayep (2006)
- Nagmisaan (2006)
- Singat (2007)
- Peace (2008)
- Don Basilio (2009)
Recent Leadership and Growth
Rev. Dr. Antonio P. Pacheco was appointed the second district superintendent on April 29, 2010, by Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan. During his term, eight local churches were organized:
San Bartolome (2012), Calayaan (2012), Bacao (2013), Acocolao (2014), Lanat (2014), San Roque (2016), Nagsangaan (2016), and Anao (2017).
On June 4, 2017, Rev. Dr. Eduardo S. Sales was appointed the third district superintendent by Bishop Pedro M. Torio Jr. Under his leadership, CLD became the largest district in the conference, consisting of 37 local churches, one worshipping congregation, and one mission congregation.
Creation of the North Central Luzon District (NCLD)
A defining moment in CLPAC history occurred during the 36th Regular Session (April 23–25, 2025) at Paniqui United Methodist Church, when the formation of the North Central Luzon District (NCLD) was formally approved, making it the fifth district under CLPAC.
The process began in April 2023, during the 34th Regular Session at Mababanaba UMC, San Jose, Tarlac, when CLD—then comprising 39 local churches and two mission congregations—was identified for division to enhance administration, pastoral care, and mission effectiveness.
On July 13, 2024, an Ad Hoc Committee for the Division of the Central Luzon District, chaired by Rev. Dr. Esrom S. Sales, was organized. The committee presented its report on April 6, 2025, during the District Conference Regular Session at Tagumbao UMC.
The NCLD was formed with 21 local churches from Lanat, San Juan, San Leon, San Roque, Ablang Sapang, Great Light–Bayanihan, Tubectubang, Baquero Sur, Moncada, Anao, Pance, Peace, Paniqui (Town Proper), Acocolao, Bacao, Calapan, Cariño, Cayanga, Nagsangaan, Nancamarinan, and Dapdap-Patalan, and 1 mision congregation lower San Bartolome, Gerona Tarlac.
The remaining 20 churches continued as the Central Luzon District. Nagmisaan, San Carlos, Bonboneg, Sinigpit, Brilliante, Sta. Lucia, Sulipa, Calayaan, San Bartolome (upper), Tagumbao, Dicolor, Colibangbang, Nipaco, Rang-ayan, Dapdap, Don Basilio, Gerona (Town Proper), Singat, Malayep, and 1 mission congregation at Sembrano.
The division was unanimously approved under the leadership of Bishop Rev. Dr. Rodel M. Acdal. Coming from Baguio City First United Methodist Church and having served as superintendent of the Cordillera Mission District of the Northwest Philippines Annual Conference (NWPAC), Rev. Augusto S. Rosario Jr. was appointed by the Bishop to lead the new beginnings of the Central Luzon District following its graceful division. Rev. Rosario Jr. had previously served as District Superintendent of the West Central Luzon District from 2018 to 2021, prior to his assignment to BCFUMC.
In the other district, the appointment of Rev. Dr. Esrom S. Sales as District Superintendent of the newly formed North Central Luzon District (NCLD). Joining him in leadership is Bro. Garry Maghilom, who continues to serve as District Lay Leader, a role he has faithfully carried since 2021.
District Lay Leaders (1998–Present)
- Ricardo Facun (1998–2000)
- Querido Facun (2000–2004; continued until 2016)
- Warlita A. Lopez (2004–2012)
- Ryan A. Gragasin (2012–2016)
- Flocerfida B. Balmorez (2016–2021)
- Garry Maghilom (2021–2024; now NCLD)
- Victor Catabona (2024–present)
District Superintendents ((formerly Presiding Elder 1909) ND, PD, CLD, WCLD, CLD)
- Rev. Ernest S. Lyons (1908–1915)
- Rev. Lorenzo Tamayo (1915–1930)
- Rev. Esteban Guillermo (1930–1945)
- Rev.Tomas delos Santos (1951–1959)
- Rev. Hilario Tumamao (1959–1968)
- Rev. Regino Aguinaldo (1968–1973)
- Rev. Benjamin S. Villanueva (1973–1985)
- Rev. Samuel C. Garibay (1985–1991)
- Rev. Josue M. Lacaulan (1991–1998)
- Rev. Esrom S. Sales (1998–2004)
- Rev. Rev. Wilson G. Vinluan (2004–2010)
- Antonio P. Pacheco (2010–2017)
- Rev. Eduardo S. Sales (2017–2024)
- Rev. Augusto S. Rosario Jr. (2024–present)
Sources
- NPAC Journals (1941–1949)
- NWPAC Journals (1949–1988)
- CLPAC Journals (1989–2018)
- 1998 UMC Centennial Bible and UMC History
- 1998 UMC CLPAC Local Churches History
- The History of Central Luzon District and Its Local Churches (W.G. Vinluan, 2008)
- 1984 CLD District Conference Program (Lupao UMC)
- Gagetan Regtaan Newsletter (1998–2010)
- 2011 CLD 7th Founding Anniversary Program
- Our Parish (A.P. Pacheco, 2010–2017)
- The Fruits News Gallery (E.S. Sales, 2018)
- CLD Communications, History of CLD (cldcommunications.info)
