Santa Cruz Church, Manila

Built in the northern part of Manila, between the Tondo and Quiapo districts is the Spanish baroque styled Santa Cruz Church. This Roman Catholic Church located near the bank of Pasig River was built by the Jesuits in 1608 for the increasing suburban Chinese population in the area who had converted to Catholic faith. The Jesuits oversaw the Church till they were expelled from the archipelago in 1768 after which the administration was overtaken by the Dominicans. After suffering damages due to the earthquakes and World War II, the present edifice was reconstructed in 1947.

The church is flanked by the Carriedo Fountain and the Church’s titular patroness Nuestra Senora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar) which was canonically established in 1743. The Confraternity of Nuestra Senora del Pilar was brought from Spain, which is a reminiscent of the Spanish built mission in California. The College of San Ildefonso and the San Lazaro Hospital are also present in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz Church.

The exterior as well as the interiors of the church are ascetic and simple. There are two chapels in this church. Numerous statues of saints are seen in the left chapel and the replica of Jesus of Nazrene along with some more statues of saints can be seen in the right chapel. Tombs of significant Filipino-Chinese resident of the Santa Cruz area can be seen in the right chapel.