Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph of Navotas

This city’s church had its beginning as a temporary chapel started in November 1859 and finished the next year. In 1860, bell tower was added and the convent rebuilt by Fr. Matias Novoa (and continued by Fr. Julian Diez).

A stronger stone structure was started in January 1868 by Fr. Manuel Perez and finished by Fr. Guillermo Cuevas on October 23, 1877. The strong July 1880 earthquake destroyed the convent. In 1889, the present church was started by Fr. Mariano Rivas and continued and finished by Fr. Tomas Agudo from 1892 to August 1895.

Historical plaque installed by the National Historical Commission in 2021

The February 14, 1934 earthquake destroyed the sanctuary and ceiling of the church. During World War II, the church was used by the Japanese as their headquarters and as a prison.  From 1964 to March 1968, the church was renovated with two wings for side altars built.  The facade was plastered with white cement which concealed the richness of the original stone which was probably secured from Malabon quarries.

The church interior

On June 28, 2003, the church was placed under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Caloocan and, on May 1, 2021, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the church was declared as a Diocesan Shrine.

Main altar and retablo

The church has a simple, massive Neo-Classic facade with three main openings, two pairs of attached pilasters supporting a Greek pediment with a rose window and semicircular arched arcade.  Latticework (calado) above the main entrance allows light and ventilation inside the church.  On the upper part of the church facade is the inscription of the year “1892.”

Side altar

Inside are a main nave and two aisles.  On the upper panel of the main wooden floor are four bas-reliefs depicting Augustinian symbols.  On pedestals are the statues of St. Monica and St. Augustine.  The old retablo was removed during the 1964 to 1968 renovation and the main altar has been restored.

Choir loft

Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph of Navotas: Mariano Naval St., Brgy. San Jose, 1485 Navotas City. Tel: (02) 8282-9126.  Feast of St. Joseph of Navotas: First Sunday of May.

How to Get There: Navotas City is located 14.3 kms. (a 35-min. drive) from Manila and 6.3 kms. (a 25-min. drive) from Malabon City.