The Old Simborio Church of Kawit aka St. Mary Magdalene Church, Kawit, Cavite

Got some downloading probs

The name Kawit is derived from the Tagalog word kawit (hook) which is suggestive of its location at the base of a hookshaped shoreline along Manila Bay extending to the tip of Cavite City. Kawit was the most thriving settlement prior to the coming of the Spaniards. In fact, it provided the first anchorage of the Spaniards in the province, whence colonization and proselytization of the Christian religion began, spreading to all corners of the province.

However, legend or folklore has it and gives another version on how the town derived its name. One day a Spanish visitor asked a native blacksmith about the name of the village. The latter was busy at the time pounding on the anvil a piece of hot metal that looked like a hook. He hesitated to speak, not understanding what the stranger was asking, but when pressed for an answer, and thinking that he wanted to know what he was doing, he merely said kawit (hook). The Spaniards left muttering the word kawit. In the course of the time the word kawit evolved into "cawite," and finally "cavite".

During the Spanish time, the Spaniards specifically calls "Cavite el Viejo" or Old Cavite to distinguish it from "Cavite la Punta" or "Cavite el Puerto," which is the commercial port and naval base (now Cavite City which the Sangley Point is) whence came many Spanish marines on shore leave who made frequent visits to Cavite el Viejo, eventually turning it into a red light district. The bad reputation of the place, however, was completely wiped out when it was placed under the spiritual supervision of the Jesuits during the administration of Manila Archbishop Miguel Garcia Serrano(1618-1629) by placing St.Mary Magdalene as Patron saint of the town.

Cavite el Viejo was then a big town, comprising the municipality of Kawit today while Cavite la Punta (now Cavite City), Noveleta (called Tierra Alta by the Spaniards), and Imus. One after the other these three towns seceded and became independent municipalities.

The Old Simborio Church of Kawit aka The St. Mary Magdalene Church was the second oldest church in Cavite. Being the Mahal na Birhen ng Candelaria in Silang which is the oldest in the province.

The exterior is made of bricks