Cathedral of Praise

Seeking solace and spiritual upliftment? Look no further than the Cathedral of Praise in Manila. This megachurch, a beacon of Pentecostal Christianity, stands tall on Taft Avenue. Its story is one of remarkable growth and unwavering faith. The Cathedral of Praise, originally known as the Manila Bethel Temple, traces its roots back to 1954. Its founder, Dr. Lester Sumrall, left an indelible mark on the Philippines’ spiritual landscape. The church’s present-day leaders, Pastors David and Beverley Sumrall, continue his legacy. They’ve overseen a period of immense expansion, growing the congregation to over 15,000 members. The Cathedral of Praise’s history is filled with fascinating anecdotes. One of the most captivating involves a young woman named Clarita Villanueva. Her deliverance from demon possession through Dr. Sumrall’s ministry made headlines and catapulted the church into the public eye. Even the mayor of Manila was moved, granting Dr. Sumrall permission to hold crusades in the city’s Sunken Garden. The Cathedral of Praise isn’t confined to its main campus on Taft Avenue. It boasts multiple campuses across Metro Manila and beyond. You can find its presence in Pasig, Las Piñas, Quezon City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cainta, Kawit, Naic, and Santa Rosa. Further expansion is on the horizon, with plans for new campuses in cities like Angeles, Antipolo, and Tagaytay. The church also has branches extending its reach throughout Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and even internationally to locations like Calgary, Vancouver, Hawaii, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. The Cathedral of Praise’s journey to financial freedom is another remarkable chapter in its story. On January 14, 2011, the church celebrated becoming debt-free. This monumental achievement was marked by a symbolic burning of the mortgage deed and a giant Goliath-shaped cake, representing the debt they had overcome. The Cathedral of Praise continues to impact the community through various initiatives like the DAILY MANNA Foundation. This feeding program provides meals to thousands of children and families in Manila’s poorest areas. In 2017, the church launched its own radio station, DZBR 531 BIBLE RADIO, further extending its reach and spreading the gospel. The Cathedral of Praise is more than just a building. It’s a testament to the power of faith, community, and service.