9 Century Old Churches in Metro Manila


Photo of Guadalupe Church.
I am not a Catholic by faith, but I love going to century-old churches in different parts of the Philippines because of their unique walls, artistic designs, and cool interiors. Also, these structures witnessed a lot of huge events centuries ago. They were even built or supervised by prominent and powerful people in the society. I've listed below the 9 old churches in Metro Manila that can be visited during Visita Iglesia.

List of Century-Old Churches in Metro Manila:

  1. Guadalupe Church
  2. Sta. Ana Church
  3. Malate Church
  4. Binondo Church
  5. Sta. Cruz Church
  6. Quiapo Church
  7. San Sebastian Church
  8. Manila Cathedral
  9. San Agustin Church


  • Guadalupe Church, Makati City

The Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church in Makati City is a 400-year-old structure with an amazing facade. Founded by the Augustinians, the construction of its foundation was laid in 1601 and was finished in 1629. Some parts of this church were rebuilt several times because of the earthquakes; and in 1880 the masonry roof collapsed because of the earthquake so it was rebuilt in 1882 by Rev. Jose Corujedo O.S.A. Later, this structure was burnt during the fight between Filipinos and Americans in February 1899. It was reconstructed and re-opened to the public in 1983.


Photo of Sta. Ana Church.

  • Sta. Ana Church

The church in Sta. Ana Manila, or Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, was established 300 years ago. The cornerstone was laid in 1720. Sta. Ana is also one of the churches spared by World War II, so most of what you see today, including the Camarin de la Virgen, was what churchgoers saw hundreds of years ago.


Photo of Malate of Church.

  • Malate Church

When the British landed on the shores of Manila in 1762, they used Malate Church as one of their headquarters. Because of its topography, the structure was damaged and rebuilt several times due to natural calamities like earthquakes and typhoons. During the battle of the Second World War, this church was destroyed by fire.


Photo of Binondo Church.

  • Binondo Church

This church in Binondo is known as the Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, which was named after the first Filipino saint (San Lorenzo Ruiz), who was canonized in 1987. The original structure was destroyed in 1756 but on the same spot, it was replaced by a new granite church completed in 1852. But during World War II, it was severely damaged, leaving the west facade, walls, and bell tower to survive. In front of this church is Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz, where water fountains were perfectly designed that match the ambiance of the church. This church is in the center of the district and is one of the landmarks.


Photo of Sta. Cruz Church.

  • Sta. Cruz Church

It is said that the original structure of Sta. Cruz Church was built in the same area where the latest structure was built. This church was constructed by the members of the “Society of Jesus,” known as the Jesuits, from 1608 up to 1768. It is the first Roman Catholic Church built in this area. Its structure is made up of blocks of adobe quarried from the nearby provinces. It was dedicated to the newly converted Chinese who lived in Manila.


  • Quiapo Church

The first structure of Quiapo Church was made of bamboo and nipa palm, built by the Franciscan Missionaries. But in 1574, the pirates, led by Limahong, destroyed and burned the church. In 1588, Fr. Antonio de Nombella, a Franciscan friar, founded this church and declared it as the Parish of St. John the Baptist. It was again burned in 1603 and taken over by the “Society of Jesus” or the Jesuits. In 1686, the full construction was started initiated by Gov. Gen. Santiago de Vera.


  • San Sebastian Church

San Sebastian Church, or Basilica Minore de San Sebastian, is a Minor Basilica in the City of Manila. The very first structure of this church is situated on land donated by Don Bernardino Castillo, a devotee of Saint Sebastian, in 1621. It was made up of wood but was burned in 1651. So it was then replaced by a structure made of bricks but was destroyed again by fire and earthquakes. A new plan was created, and that was to build a fire and earthquake-resistant structure. In the 1880s, Esteban Martinez approached the Spanish architect Genaro Palacios to make a structure made entirely of steel.


  • Manila Cathedral

The Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica, commonly known as the Manila Cathedral, is situated in the district of Intramuros in Manila. Originally, this church was the "Church of Manila," which was established and under the management of the Diocese of Mexico in 1571, but later, in 1579, it became a separate diocese.

  • San Agustin Church

Like the other old churches in the Philippines, the San Agustin Church faced several natural disasters like earthquakes and was burned several times. The very first structure of this church was built in 1571 and was made of nipa and bamboo, but it was destroyed by fire during the invasion of Limahong, a Chinese pirate, in 1574. In the same spot, a new structure was built and was made of wood. In 1586, a new structure made of adobe stone was constructed, led by the Augustinians.

Visita Iglesia to Century-Old Churches in Metro Manila:

  1. From MRT-EDSA Guadalupe Station, we walked on the sidewalks, going to Loyola Memorial Chapel.
  2. Choose the street beside the chapel going down to Guadalupe Church.
  3. In front of Guadalupe Church, we rode in a jeepney bound for PRC and rode in a green tricycle to Sta. Ana Church.
  4. Then, the street adjacent to Sta. Church, we rode in a jeepney to Malate Church.
  5. At the rear side of Malate Church, we rode in a jeepney to Binondo Church.
  6. Then, using my phone GPS, we walked on the streets near China Town going to Sta. Cruz and Quiapo Church.
  7. Rode in a jeepney to San Sebastian Church.
  8. Walked inside Intramuros to Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church.
  9. Remember to ask questions to people for the right destination. Always utilize Google Maps on your smartphone.