Completed in 1952 this is the Lokal ng F. Manalo. This chapel was once the central office complex for the Iglesia ni Cristo. The Lokal ng F. Manalo stands in Barangay Santa Lucia. It is in San Juan Metro Manila.
The Lokal ng F. Manalo has a rich history. The church sought a location for its central office. This was under the leadership of Felix Y. Manalo. In 1925, they moved from Tondo Manila to San Juan. This allowed more room for church officers. Before Riverside Street, the office was at 42 Broadway Avenue.
World War II prompted a move. The Church Administration went to Tayuman. This was to avoid the Japanese forces. They remained there until 1947. The Locale Congregation of Riverside began in 1948. The church bought land on Riverside Street. They planned a chapel and administrative offices. The first chapel was just miles away.
In the early 1950s, Felix Manalo hired Juan Nakpil. Nakpil was a national artist for architecture. He designed the main house of worship. He also designed the central office building. Nakpil also designed the Pastoral House. This became home to Manalo and his family. The complex featured sculptures by Francesco Monti. It also had lush gardens and a futuristic water tank.
The main chapel was the largest among the chapels. It was patterned on theaters. Nakpil also worked on those.
Historical events happened here at Lokal ng F. Manalo. The council of ministers elected Eraño Manalo. He was to succeed his father Felix. Carlos A. Santos-Viola designed the mausoleum of Felix Manalo. He was Nakpil’s brother-in-law. In 1968, the Central Administration moved. They went to the FGM Building along Gil Puyat Avenue. Later offices opened in Diliman Quezon City.
Today the Lokal ng F. Manalo remains one of the oldest locales. It is one of two worship buildings in San Juan.
Juan Nakpil’s design had a postwar futuristic look. It also had an Art Deco look. This was like the movie theaters he designed. The INC was not using the neo-Gothic look yet. The design was transitional.
From 1952 to 1968, this was INC’s home base. The San Juan complex drew attention. In the 1970s, the INC moved its central temple and offices to Quezon City. The former central temple became the Lokal ng F. Manalo. The street was named after the INC’s founder.
The San Juan complex served as the residence of the executive minister. Guards still stand by the complex today. The Lokal ng F. Manalo is a significant landmark. It represents the history and growth of the Iglesia ni Cristo.