Iglesia Filipina Independiente National Cathedral, Christian cathedral in Ermita, Philippines
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente National Cathedral is a Christian cathedral in the Ermita district of Manila, serving as the national seat of an independent Filipino church. The building has a trapezoidal upper facade made of concrete and wood, with stained glass windows inside.
The original cathedral was destroyed in 1945 during the Battle of Manila. Work on the current building started in 1964, designed by architect Carlos Arguelles.
This cathedral is the seat of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a church that separated from Rome and has remained independent ever since. Services are held in Filipino, and the congregation gathers here regularly for worship and church celebrations.
The cathedral sits on Taft Avenue in Ermita and is easy to reach from most parts of Manila. Modest dress is expected, and visiting outside of service hours gives you more space to look around the building.
The cathedral opened on the birthday of Gregorio Aglipay, the founder and first bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. This was a deliberate choice, meant to honor the man who had brought the church into being.
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