10 Churches to Visit for Visita Iglesia

10 Churches to Visit for Visita Iglesia

 
San Agustin Church 

The only Intramuros church that survived the Second World War, San Agustin Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is said to be the oldest church in the Philippines. Built from 1587 to 1607, the church withstood earthquakes, the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine-American War and World War II, which saw the destruction of all other Intramuros churches.When visiting the church, notice the impressive trompe l’oeil murals done by Giovanni Alberoni and Cesare Dibella. Aside from the main altar and two side altars, there are 12 collateral chapels, each with a Baroque or Neoclassical retablo. Also check out the intricate gold gilt narra pulpit that dates back to 1627.On the left side of the altar is a hall with the tomb of conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Inside the church museum are crypts that house the remains of Manila’s prominent citizens of the period, including renowned painter and propagandist Juan Luna. The museum itself hosts an impressive collection of religious art. San Agustin Church is located at Gen. Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Tel. 527-406

San Beda Chapel

Formally known as the Abbey of Our Lady of Monserrat, this school chapel dates back to 1925 and is located inside San Beda College in Mendiola, Manila. It was designed by Swedish architect George Asp, and it houses paintings done by Fr. Lesmes Lopez, OSB, a Spanish monk who did murals for monasteries in Spain and Australia (so don’t be surprised to find a kangaroo in the mural!).
San Beda Church is located at Mendiola Street, San Miguel, Manila. Tel. 735-5972

Manila Cathedral

The current Manila Cathedral is a reconstruction of the original that was destroyed during the Second World War. According to the rectory of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, the current 1958 structure is actually the 8th Manila Cathderal, while the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) marker says it is the sixth.
According to the NHCP, the first cathedral was built in 1581, but it was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and again destoyed by fire in 1583. The second cathedral was built in 1592 but was damaged by an earthquake in 1600, while the third cathedral was built of stone in 1614 and destroyed by the earthquake of 1645. The magnificent fourth cathedral was completed in 1671 and destroyed by another earthquake in 1863. The fifth cathedral was completed in 1879 and was devastated by the bombs of the Second World War. The sixth cathedral dates back to 1958.
Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) is at Cabildo cor. Beaterio Streets, Manila. Tel. 527-3093 / 527-1796

Las Piñas Church

The Las Piñas Church is home to a famous National Cultural Treasure: the Bamboo Organ. Many say it’s the highlight of any visit to this church. Fr. Cera built the musical instrument in 1823 with a total of 1,031 original bamboo pipes and 129 new metal ones. It was restored in 1942 by Carmelo and Jose Loinaz and again in 1973, when it was sent to the Johannes Klais Factory in Bonn, Germany for a full restoration.
In 1810, Fr. Diego Cera began construction for the Las Piñas Church, which was completed in 1819. The architecture of the church itself is simple yet sturdy with massive stone colonades and a stucco Neoclassical altar.
Las Piñas Church (Saint Joseph Parish) is located at Diego Cera Avenue, Las Piñas. Tel. 826-1856

University of the Philippines Chapel

The Catholic church of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman is called the Church of the Holy Sacrifice or simply the UP Chapel. More than just a National Historical Landmark, it is recognized by the National Museum as an Important Cultural Property—a testament to the creativity of four national artists.
The dome-shaped structure, a fine example of Modern architecture in the Philippines, was designed by Leandro Locsin. Around the UP Chapel are 15 large murals painted by Vicente Manansala depicting the Stations of the Cross. The marble altar and the large wooden cross above it were sculpted by Napoleon Abueva. And finally, the mosaic floor mural called the “River of Life” was designed by Arturo Luz.
The UP Chapel is located at J. P. Laurel cor. Apacible Streets, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Tel. 926-1592 / 926-9496

Far Eastern University Chapel

Speaking of school chapels, another university chapel worth visiting is that of Far Eastern University. While most of the buildings in the FEU campus were designed by National Artist Pablo Antonio, it was Felipe Mendoza who designed the FEU Chapel. The main attraction is the Stations of the Cross murals of National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco.
Far Eastern University Chapel is at Nicanor Reyes, Sr. Street, Sampaloc, Manila. Tel. 736-0036 / 735-5621 to 30 loc. 251 (Admissions & External Relations Office)

San Dionisio Chapel

This small chapel in San Dionisio, Paranaque is famous (or infamous) for its headless image of San Dionisio, or Tatang Dune to the locals. Its wooden altar has been kept intact, and is also worth seeing. While you’re in the area, you can also add  Paranaque’s other heritage churches including the Paranaque Cathedral, La Huerta Chapel and Redemptorist Church to your list for Visita Iglesia.
San Dionisio Chapel is located at Quirino Avenue, Brgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque. 

San Pedro Makati Church

Who knew that a city as modern and cosmopolitan as Makati still had its old town church intact? Accodring to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Franciscans were the first missionaries in Makati in 1578 but it was the Jesuits who built the first church in 1620 and administered it until their expulsion in 1768. The church was dedicated to San Pedro in memory of Fr. Pedro de los Montes, the builder of the church, and Capitan Pedro de Britto, Regidor of Manila, who donated the site called Buenavista.

The highlight of the church is its original wooden altar. Unfortunately, recent additions below the church altar went overboard and overshadowed the elegant simplicity of the original.
San Pedro Makati Church (Saints Peter and Paul Parish) is at  5539 D.M. Rivera Street, Poblacion, Makati. Tel. 890-3842

San Sebastian Basilica

Plaza del Carmen, which borders the San Miguel District and Quiapo, is home to a rare gem: the gothic revival, all-steel Basilica Minore de San Sebastian.

The structure was prefabricated in Belgium before it was dismantled and shipped back to the Philippines. It was said that after three earthquakes that leveled the earlier San Sebastian churches, the recollects decided to use an unconventional material to build an earthquake proof church, which explains why the structure is made entirely of steel. But nothing is decay-free and we all know that the biggest enemy of steel is iron oxide, or rust. This is why the World Monuments Fund (WMF) included the structure in the List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 1998 and 2010.
Being a neo-gothic church, notice the stained glass and rose windows, lancelet arches, fan vaults and tracery. The basilica is also a National Historical Landmark and on the tentative list for inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
San Sebastian Basilica is located at Plaza Del Carmen, Quiapo, Manila. Tel. 734-8931

Santa Ana Church

Santa Ana, or the pre-Hispanic community of Namayan, is probably older than Manila itself. The church’s long history was confirmed when archeological evidence of pre-colonial burial grounds were found in the church complex, which have been designated a National Cultural Treasure.

While the church is relatively well-preserved, many of the original features were lost during renovations in 1977 and 1985. One of the highlights of the church is its impressive main altar which houses the venerated image of Our Lady of the Abandoned or the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados, a replica of the original one in Valencia, Spain. In fact, the retablo is said to be the only one of its kind and period in a Manila church.

Located behind the main altar is another National Cultural Treasure: The Camarin de la Virgen or the dressing room of the Virgen de los Desamparados. Used primarily when the virgen’s vestments are changed during the Sta. Ana fiesta in May and other special occasions, its ceilings are made up of 11 large mural paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus. These paintings are said to be the oldest ones in the country.
Santa Ana Church (Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish) is located at Pedro Gil Street, Sta. Ana, Manila. Tel. 564-4203http://www.spot.ph/gallery/1120/10-churches-to-visit-for-visita-iglesia/article/48124#pid=16576