Quiapo Church

Entrance portal of the Quiapo Church

The Quiapo Church (officially: Basílika Menor ng Itím na Nazareno ) is one of the four Basilicae minores of the Archdiocese of Manila of the Roman Catholic Church in the capital of the Philippines , Manila . It is in the Barangay Quiapo, on Plaza Miranda.

The church dedicated to the Black Nazarene has had the status of a minor basilica since February 1, 1987 and is one of the most famous churches in the Philippines. The Festival of the Black Nazarene is a major religious festival in Manila and the Philippines. It is celebrated with a large procession that takes place annually on January 9th , which starts in the Quiapo Church.

history

The first church was built on the site of today's church as early as 1586 from the traditional building materials bamboo and a roof made of Nipa palm leaves . It was burned down and rebuilt in 1603 during a rebellion by the Chinese people of Quiapos. In 1645 it was destroyed in a severe earthquake. The parish was transferred to the Jesuit Order in 1685 . In 1767 the church was consecrated for the first time to the Black Nazarene, venerated as a saint in the Philippines. The sculpture of the black Nazarene was created in Mexico at the beginning of the 17th century - the artist was probably an Aztec - and was transferred to the Philippines.

In 1791 the wooden church burned down completely, but was rebuilt. In 1863 it was destroyed again in the great earthquake in Manila. As a result, the first stone church was built in 1864, under the direction of Pastor Eusebio de Leon; The construction was completed under the direction of Pastor Manual Roxas. In 1929 the church burned down; it was reconstructed in 1933 according to plans by the architect Juan Nakpil.

Until 1989, due to the popularity of the Black Nazarene, many donations were received, so that five bronze bells and two digital clocks could be purchased.