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Quiapo Church - History

September 29, 2008

The Basilica Minore Del Nuestro Senior Del Nazareno is one of the popular churches in the country. Located in between the busy streets of Quiapo Manila, Quiapo church is the home of the miraculous 400-year-old Black Nazarene in which millions of devotees flock for its feast day every January.

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(Carriedo Street in Quiapo - Feb. 2008 Photo)

Just like the name of “Manila”, Quiapo was also derived from the name of water plants that can be seen in the surrounding rivers of Quiapo. The area was discovered by a Spanish Governor General way back in August 1586.

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(Quiapo Church - Old Photo)

The original foundations of the church were built in 1582 made from bamboo and nipa. The current church, with its two magnificent belfries and grand dome, towers over the adjacent square and serves as the center of Old Manila.

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(Quiapo Church Interior - Feb. 2008 Photo)

Its miraculous Black Nazarene was brought to Manila from Mexico by Agustinian Recollect friars on May 31, 1606. In fact, the church had a one year celebration that started from May 31, 2006 to June 1, 2007 as the Black Nazarenes’ 400th year in the Philippines.

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(Outside Quiapo Church - Old Photo)

Its procession is considered as the largest religious gathering of devotees in the country although replica is still used in the processions while the original rests inside the church.

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(Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda - 1970s Photo)

The church was destroyed by great fires of 1791 and 1929, and catastrophic earthquakes of 1645 and 1863. After the fire in 1929, the walls and belfry were only left standing.

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(February 2008 Photo)

National artist Juan Nakpil, who also made several notable buildings in Manila, designed the plan for the new church structure.

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Miraculously the church survived the Second World War despite surrounding buildings being completely destroyed.

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(Quiapo Area - Second World War Photo)

From this World War 2 Photo, the area of Quiapo and Sta. Cruz in Manila was devastated except for the Quiapo Church. Most of the nearby buildings in Carriedo and Quezon Boulevard were destroyed. San Sebastian church can also be seen in this photo.

Posted by manilahub at 4:34 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

hi…i commend you for your great work. I would like to ask if you happen to know where to get a copy of the Quiapo Church floor plan? before and the current splan specifically. My thesis is about Quiapo Church. Thank you.

Posted by Danica at February 17, 2010, 4:41 am

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