San Francisco Church of Intramuros, Franciscan church in Intramuros, Philippines
San Francisco Church was a religious building in Intramuros with a prominent facade featuring Ionic and Corinthian columns. It occupied the intersection of San Francisco and Solana Streets and shaped the character of this historic district in Manila.
The building was established in 1578 using bamboo and nipa materials as an early religious structure in the region. Multiple fires and earthquakes damaged it over the centuries until World War II bombardment caused its final destruction in 1945.
The church functioned as the primary center for Franciscan missions throughout the Philippines, spreading religious education and practices across the archipelago.
The site where the church once stood is now occupied by Mapua Institute of Technology, an educational institution that uses the space for academic purposes. Visitors can explore the area, but should keep in mind it functions as a campus and access may depend on school schedules.
A statue of Saint Anthony of Padua that once graced the area survived the World War II bombardment and was later relocated to preserve it. This artwork now resides at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati, providing a physical link to the lost church.
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