San José de Trozo Parish, Roman Catholic church in Santa Cruz district, Manila, Philippines.
San José de Trozo Parish is a Roman Catholic church located on Masangkay Street in the Santa Cruz district, painted white with modern architectural features. A prominent bell tower rises above the building, making it visible from the surrounding area.
The church was built in 1933 by local woodworkers and loggers living along the Magdalena River, who constructed a chapel dedicated to their patron saint, Saint Joseph. This founding reflects the economic focus of the neighborhood at that time.
The parish connects with the Filipino-Chinese community, a relationship that developed when the Lorenzo Ruiz Mission Society took over its administration in 1998. This connection shapes the community that gathers here today.
The church is easily reached from Masangkay Street in the Santa Cruz district and sits within a busy neighborhood with shops and services nearby. Crowds gather during mass times, particularly on Sundays, so arriving early allows better access to the space.
The name 'Trozo' comes from a Spanish word meaning logs or timber pieces, recalling the neighborhood's former role as a logging and woodcraft center. This link to the timber trade remains embedded in the place name, even though the area has transformed over the decades.
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