THE MISSING CHURCHES IN INTRAMUROS

MAP OF INTRAMUROS

Santo Domingo Church - it gave Intramuros the nickname of “Little Vatican” and it is one of the
eight original churches. It went through a number of reconstructions as it is brought down by
calamities and war like the Manila Cathedral. It was built in 1857. It’s named to honor the founder
which is the Dominican Order. It has a Romanesque and Gothic architectural style while featuring
the Mission-style architecture.

San Ignacio Church - built by the Jesuits. Under the supervision of thr Jesuit Priest, Padre Francisco
Riera. It was built from 1878 to 1889. The church was designed by the first Filipino Architect Felix
Roxas, Sr.. It has a Neo-Classical style and its interior was made by the Filipino sculptor Isabelo
Tampingo and his students making it fanous because of the woodwork. It is destroyed in 1945, not
being able to survive the Battle of Manila. The Americans bombed and burned it for days making
the people leave and build another church for St. Ignatius..

San Nicolas de Tolentino church - built by the Augustinian Recollects. The priory of Bagumbayan in
1606 was built outside the city walls of Manila. The convent and the beautiful church of Saint
Nicolas of Tolentine was built inside the city of Intramuros two years later. Its architectural style is
mainly influenced by the Spanish colonial architecture. Natural calamities would frequently destroy
the church. A new church was built in 1881 and is renowned for its interiors and grand architecture.
In the 1930’s, its interiors were partially modernized. It was also the original Black Nazarene image..
The Recollects relocated their motherhouse to another Recollect property, the San Sebastian
Church in Quiapo, after the church and its convent were destroyed during World War II. The
remnants of Recoletos were still intact until it was demolished in 1959.
 Lourdes Church (Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church) - it is the youngest church in Intramuros and
it is built by the Capuchins friars, a branch of the Franciscan Order in 1891. Its architectural style is
described as “simplified Romanesque”. For 40 years, the church along General Lun, it served as a
venue for religious ceremonies and weddings. The reason why the church is destroyed is because
the Japanese massacared the Capuchins in 1945 during the Battle of Manila.

San Francisco Church and Monastery - It is built by the Franciscans and it is considered one of
Intramuro’s best. It was first made in bamboo and nipa in 1578 but burned down in 1583. It was
rebuilt into a stone church in 1602 but destroyed because of the earthquakes. And the new church
is built in 1739 and is finished in 18th century with the Baroque architectural style. It was destroyed
during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

Santa Clara Monastery - It was built by the Poor Clares Sisters, its architectural style is Spanish
Colonioal Revival. It was established in 1621 but it was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in
1945.