Top 7 Churches to Visit this Lent

The Philippines, being the only Catholic country in the South East Asia, will observe the Visita Iglesia once again this Holy Week season, Visita Iglesia has been an age-old devotion practiced by the Filipinos, and by most Catholic people all over the world. This devotion normally entails visiting seven (7) churches during Holy Thursday to serve as penance, and a prayer is said at each church-stop, others reflect on the 14 stations of the cross, and double the number of churches to visit to 14. In the observance of the Lenten Season, Dablogbank gives you the most interesting heritage churches to visit in Manila – this is whether you’re a devout Catholic or just a curious mind of history and the arts.

The Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral or Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located at Cabildo cor. Beaterio Streets, Manila. Tel. 527-3093 / 527-1796

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) says this cathedral was built in 1581, but it was damaged by a typhoon in 1582 and again destoyed by fire in 1583. Then it was re-built in 1592 but was damaged by an earthquake in 1600, while the third reconstruction was built of stone in 1614 and destroyed by the earthquake of 1645. The fourth reconstruction was completed in 1671 and destroyed by another earthquake in 1863. The fifth reconstruction was completed in 1879 and was devastated by the bombs of the Second World War. The sixth cathedral dates back to 1958.

 

The San Dionisio Chapel

San Dionisio Chapel is located at Quirino Avenue, Brgy. San Dionisio, Parañaque.  

This chapel in Paranaque is known for its headless image of San Dionisio, (Tatang Dune to the locals). The wooden altar has been kept intact. While you're in Paranaque, you may opt to see other heritage churches in the area like the Paranaque Cathedral, La Huerta Chapel and the wednesday famous Redemptorist Church.

The San Pedro Church - Makati

San Pedro Makati Church (Saints Peter and Paul Parish) is at  5539 D.M. Rivera Street, Poblacion, Makati. Tel. 890-3842

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) says that 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. This church was dedicated to San Pedro in memory of the person who build it, Fr. Pedro de los Montes and Capitan Pedro de Britto, Regidor of Manila, who donated the site - Buenavista.

When you enter the church you will recognize its original wooden altar.

The Santa Ana Church

The Santa Ana Church is located at Pedro Gil Street, Sta. Ana, Manila. Tel. 564-4203

One of the highlights of the church is its impressive main altar which houses the image of Our Lady of the Abandoned (or the Nuestra Senora de los Desamparados), a replica of the original one in Valencia, Spain.

At the back of the main altar is another National Cultural Treasure: The Camarin de la Virgen (the dressing room of the Virgen de los Desamparados), which is used primarily when the virgen's vestments are changed during the Sta. Ana fiesta. The ceilings are made up of 11 large mural paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus.

 

The San Agustin Church

The San Agustin Church is located at Gen. Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Tel. 527-4061

The only Intramuros church that stand the World War II, the San Agustin Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the oldest church in the Philippines, built from 1587 to 1607, the church withstood earthquakes, Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War and World War II, which saw the destruction of all other Intramuros churches.

When you visit this church, notice the impressive trompe l'oeil murals made by Giovanni Alberoni and Cesare Dibella. There were also 12 collateral chapels with a Baroque or Neoclassical retablo.

On the altar’s left side 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 like Juan Luna. 

The San Beda Chapel

San Beda Church is located at Mendiola Street, San Miguel, Manila. Tel. 735-5972

The San Beda Chapel, or the Abbey of Our Lady of Monserrat dates back to 1925 and is located inside the San Beda College school in Mendiola, Manila. It was designed by Swedish architect George Asp.

The Far Eastern University Chapel

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

The Far Eastern University Chapel was designed by Felipe Mendoza. Take a look at the Stations of the Cross murals made by the National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco.