From Binondo Church, Jandy and I had to walk some distance to make it the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more commonly known as Quiapo Church. This church was first built with nipa and bamboo by Franciscan missionaries but was burned by Limahong in 1574. It was founded by Franciscan Fr. Antonio de Nombella in 1588, burned in 1603, reconstructed by Gov.-Gen. Santiago de Vera in 1686, destroyed by the British in 1762 and during the June 3, 1863 earthquake, reconstructed by Fr. Eusebio de Leon in 1879 and completed under the auspices of Fr. Eusebio de Leon and Fr. Manuel E. Roxas Manio in 1889. It was destroyed during the October 30, 1929 fire (only the belfry and scarred walls remain).
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| Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene |
The current church, the fourth on the site, was built with plans prepared by Arch. Juan Nakpil from 1933 to 1935. Arch. Jose Ma. Zaragosaenlarged the church and changed the design of the lateral walls in 1984, retaining the facade and the large, imposing central dome at the transept. The church was conferred the title Basilica Minore de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno in 1988.
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| Interior of the basilica |
The church’s distinctive Baroque facade has twisted Corinthian columns on both levels with the second level having 1/3 of the shaft near the base twisted and the rest smooth. The triangular pediment‘s tympanum has a pair of chalice-like decorations and urn-like vases at the ends of the raking cornice. The church has 3 4-storey bell towers with the topmost portions balustered and decorated with huge scrolls.
Inside are a high altar of carrara marble and the Shrine of the Black Nazarene, a miraculous, life-size statue of Christ bearing the cross that was carved in dark wood by Mexican Indians and brought to Manila by galleon in 1606. It now sports a deeper tan color darkened with age and by the constant wiping of hankerchiefs by religious devotees. Devotees flock to the church every Friday. The Feast of the Black Nazarene is held on January 9.
Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene: cor. of Plaza Miranda and Quezon Blvd., Quiapo, Manila. Tel: (632) 733-4944 to 45. Fax: (632) 733-4434.