Konted's Make My Day 2: The Church of Santa Cruz

Old photo of Sta Cruz Church

The Church of Santa Cruz

Every year, the Black Nazarene of nearby Quiapo Church steals the thunder. Millions join the procession in paying homage to the black statue of Jesus Christ carrying the cross. And it is beamed live nationwide throughout the day-long procession that starts from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta and snakes its way through the principal streets of Quiapo district. Relegated to the background and, seemingly, playing second fiddle is the statue of Nuestra Senora Del Pilar.

The Carriedo Fountain in front of the Church is now one of the main attractions of Plaza Sta Cruz.

The Carriedo Fountain was originally located at the foot of Nagtahan Bridge near Sta Mesa.

The third Welcome Arch of Chinatown. It stands across Sta Cruz Church.

1961 photo of Plaza Sta Cruz which is in front of Sta. Cruz Church. (Nostalgia Manila photo)

Nuestra Senora Del Pilar, otherwise known as Our Lady of the Pillar, is housed in an old church locked by two plazas at the district of Santa Cruz in Manila. Sta Cruz Church's original structure was built by the Jesuits in 1608 for the Chinese immigrants who were clustered in a place called Binondo. In front of the Church is Plaza Sta. Cruz while at the rear is Plaza Goiti. Sta Cruz then was the premier district of the City of Manila.

Sta. Cruz Church today. It is said that the Church's architecture resembles the churches built by the Spaniards in California.

The bell tower at right enhances the beauty of the Church.

Brick-like tiles were added to the exterior walls of the Church.

Right flank of the Church

About Santa Cruz Church

Nuestra Senora Del Pilar, like the Black Nazarene, has devotees who frequent the Church to ask favors or divine intercession. There was even a time when religious veneration or devotion was so intense that a cult was said to have been formed. At the height of her popularity, Nuestra Senora del Pilar was lavishly dressed and had ornaments decorated with gold and diamonds especially during processions. Drawing attention is an old beautiful water fountain fronting the Church. It is called Carriedo Fountain named after the rich man responsible for installing Manila's water system. One distinguishing feature of Santa Cruz Church is its proximity to Escolta which was then the premier business center of Manila.

Church interior

Closer shot of main altar

Statue of Nuestra Senora del Pilar at right side of the Church

Saint Peter Julian Eymard is the second patron saint of Sta Cruz Church. The French saint was the founder of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation.

Statue near main entrance

Different statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At right is Nuestra Senora del Pilar with a devotee in deep prayer.

Old crypts inside Sta Cruz Church

My favorite rig driver was waiting near the Church. Mang Willie, who hails from San Carlos City in Pangasinan, parked his calesa at the western side. There was nothing that blocked the view. He made sure we could see him at once. We were holding at the big wheel as we embarked: Idiretso mo diyan sa Dasmarinas. Hanggang dulo. Tas liko mo sa Escolta. Dahan dahan lang tayo sa Escolta. Tas bahala ka na kung saan tayo. And then there was that sound I have always wanted to hear: tigitac, tigitac.... I was back to my own little world. Even for a brief moment.