Behold. This is the Iglesia Ni Cristo Locale of Long Island City. It is a beacon of faith in this vibrant New York neighborhood. The Iglesia Ni Cristo has a rich history. It started in the Philippines and spread across the globe.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo’s story began with Brother Felix Y. Manalo. He is considered God’s Messenger in these last days. The church was officially registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914. From its first local congregation in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, the church expanded rapidly. It reached Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
When Brother Felix Manalo died on April 12, 1963, the church had ecclesiastical districts. These districts covered more than half of the provinces in the Philippines. In 1968, Brother Eraño G. Manalo led the church. He established the first two local congregations outside the Philippines. These were in Honolulu, Hawaii, and San Francisco, California. This marked the start of the Church’s expansion globally.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo spread throughout North America. It established congregations in New York and Guam in 1969. It reached Canada in 1971. Europe followed with London in 1972. The church expanded to Australia in the mid-1970s. It entered Asia through Hong Kong in 1974. Thailand in 1976 and Japan in 1977. Africa saw its first congregations in Nigeria and South Africa in 1978. By the end of the 1980s, the church had congregations in Scandinavian countries.
The first local congregation in Latin America was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1990. Congregations were set up in cities of Christian significance. Rome, Italy, saw a congregation on July 27, 1994. Jerusalem, Israel, followed on March 31, 1996. Athens, Greece, joined on May 10, 1997.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo reached South America at the dawn of the new millennium. Group worship services began in Brazil and Peru. Before Brother Eraño passed away on August 31, 2009, the church continued to grow worldwide. Under Brother Eduardo V. Manalo’s leadership, the church continues to progress. Its membership is constantly increasing.
Thousands of ministers and church officers are being added globally. The construction and renovation of worship houses continue. This happens not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. Houses of worship in Washington, DC, Barcelona, and Amsterdam were recently dedicated. This strengthened the Church’s presence worldwide.
On July 21, 2014, the Iglesia Ni Cristo inaugurated the Philippine Arena. It is the world’s largest mixed-use indoor theater. This megastructure is in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan. It hosted the Church’s centennial celebration on July 27, 2014. Millions of members from all over the world attended.
Here at the Iglesia Ni Cristo Locale of Long Island City, you can find various worship schedules. Services are held in both English and Tagalog. Contact Carlito E. Aquino for more information. His email is cea1846@yahoo.com. His phone number is 347-210-4784.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo continues to thrive. It offers a welcoming community for its members. It stands as a testament to faith and perseverance. Take a moment to appreciate its presence here in Long Island City. Consider its global impact.