All you need to know about this historic church in Binondo, Manila.
Whenever I visit Binondo for a food trip, I always make sure to pass this church in front of Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz. Binondo Church's facade always make me in awe every time I see it. The church is one of the most picturesque places in Manila.
Binondo Church, formally known as the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz - Parish of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Spanish: Basílica Menor de San Lorenzo Ruiz y Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario), is located in the District of Binondo, Manila fronting Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, in the Philippines.
This church was founded by Dominican priests in 1596 to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity.
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Saint Lorenzo Ruiz |
The original building was destroyed in 1762 by British bombardment. A new granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 however it was greatly damaged during the Second World War, with only the western façade and the octagonal belfry surviving.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, who was born of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, trained in this church and afterwards went as a missionary to Japan, where he and his companions were martyred for refusing to renounce Christianity.
Lorenzo is the Philippines' first saint, and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987. A large statue of the saint stands in front of the church.
Binondo Church in Details
- Names: Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, Basílica Menor y Santuario Nacional de San Lorenzo Ruiz
- Location: Binondo, Manila, Philippines
- Country: Philippines
- Denomination: Catholic
- Website: rcam.org/minorbasilicaofsanlorenzoruiz
- Status: Minor basilica
- Founded: 1596
- Founders: Dominican priests
- Architectural type: Minor basilica
- Completed: 1852
- Number of domes: 1
- Materials: Granite
- Archdiocese: Manila
Even before the arrival of the Spanish to the Philippines there was already a community of Chinese traders living in Manila. The population of Chinese traders increased with the advent of Spanish colonization of the Philippines, due to increased trade between the islands.
Parish church of the barrio of Binondo in 1868 |
The upsurge in their population prompted the Catholic Missionaries to manage the conversion of the Chinese population to the Christian faith.
In 1596, Dominican priests founded Binondo church to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity as well as to the native Filipinos.
Binondo Church Architecture
Binondo Church was built by the Dominicans. Founded in 1596, a church had been constructed before 1614. When transferred to its present site in the 18th century, a new church was built to accommodate new churchgoers. In 1778, the roof was replaced with nipa as the wood was destroyed by termites. In 1863, the church was slightly damaged by earthquake.
The original structure has sustained damages during wars and various natural disasters. Domingo Cruz y Gonzales supervised the construction of the dome in 1781.
The current granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 and features an octagonal pagoda-like bell tower which suggests the Chinese culture of the parishioners. The church was burned during the British invasion of 1762. Another one was quickly built following the occupation. Improvements were made in the 18th century but the edifice was again destroyed in the 1863 earthquake.
It was rebuilt in the grandeur the remains on which we see today. Before the war, it was considered as one of the most beautiful churches in the country. Its bell tower was composed of five stories, octagonal in shape. At its top was a mirador (viewing window). This roof was destroyed during the 1863 earthquake.
OTHER CHURCHES TO VISIT IN MANILA
- San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
- Basilica of the Black Nazarene a.k.a. Quiapo Church in Manila
- Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz a.k.a. Binondo Church
- San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila
- Our Lady of Remedies Parish (Malate Catholic Church)
ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA
Klook.comBinondo Church Fun Facts
Here are some trivia about Binondo Church:
- The current main altar of the church is loosely modeled after the façade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
- The basilica has been reconstructed many times due to natural calamities and only the belfry is what remains of the original 16th century structure.
- Andrés Bonifacio and his second wife, Gregoria de Jesús were wed in Catholic rites in the church in March 1893 or 1894. The couple had also undergone a marriage ceremony under the Katipunan, the secret society that Bonifacio headed as part of the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire.
How to Get to Binondo Church
Going to Binondo, Manila is made easy because of Metro Manila's transport system - where you can ride any of the following mode of transportation:
Via Train
If you are coming from North (Caloocan City) and from the South (Paranaque/Pasay), you can take LRT1 and drop off Carriedo station. Turn left at Rizal Avenue, and walk past Sta. Cruz Church towards Bustos. Turn left at Bustos, and walk about 1 block until you get to Ongpin. Chinatown begins there, right behind Sta. Cruz Church.
Nearest Train Station: LRT1-Carriedo
Via Bus
If you are coming from North (Quezon City), you can take a bus ride en route to Sta. Cruz, Manila or if you are from the South (Muntinlupa), you can take a bus ride en route to Lawton, then a jeepney ride to Sta. Cruz. Then take a short walk as previously suggested above.
Via UV Express
UV express is another option going to Binondo. Here are the available UV Express Routes: Divisoria-Roxas Blvd./Baclaran; Divisoria-Taft/Buendia/Baclaran
Via Jeepney
Here are the following jeepney routes you can take going to Binondo: Cubao-Divisoria; Divisoria-Roxas Blvd./Baclaran; Divisoria-Taft/Buendia/Baclaran; Espana-Divisoria; Morayta-Divisoria; North Avenue-Sta. Cruz; San Juan-Divisoria; Sta. Cruz-Binondo/Divisoria; Sta. Cruz-Taft/Buendia/Baclaran
ACTIVITIES AND TOURS IN MANILA
Binondo Church
Address: Plaza de San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo, Manila
Phone Number: (02) 8242-4850
Telefax: (02) 8242-4041
Email Address: binondochurch1596@gmail.com
Binondo Church Mass Schedule & Other Services
Church Mass
- Monday-Saturday: 12:15nn | 5:00pm
- Sunday: 8:30am | 10:00am | 12:15nn | 5:00pm
Baptism
- Monday-Saturday: 10:30am
- Sunday: 11:00am (Communal)
Wedding & Funeral Mass
- By Appointment
Confession
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00am-12:00nn
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 3:00-4:30pm
Sick call & Anointing
- By Appointment
WHERE TO NEXT?
- VISITA IGLESIA GUIDE: 7 Churches to Visit in Manila (Location & Map)
- PILGRIMAGE: List of Marian Shrines in the Philippines
- MANILA TRAVEL GUIDE: Tourist Spots, Things To Do, Where To Eat and Where to Stay
- REDISCOVER MANILA: 20+ Tourist Spots To Visit At Night (Things To Do & New Places To Go)
- INTRAMUROS GUIDE: Historic Walled City in Manila (What to See & to Do)
WHERE TO STAY NEAR BINONDO
Here's a list of hotel accommodation you can book in Manila:
- Octagon Mansion Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Bayview Park Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Go Hotels Ermita - Check Rates and Availability!
- City Garden Suites Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Pearl Manila Hotel - Check Rates and Availability!
- Sunny Bay Suites - Check Rates and Availability!
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please let us know by leaving a message in the comment box below.
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