Pause for a moment right here at Santa Cruz Chapel. This chapel has witnessed centuries of change. Let’s step back in time and explore its history.
The area where Santa Cruz Chapel now stands was once a village. It belonged to the Parish of Quiapo. The Jesuits played a crucial role in its transformation. In 1619, they began administering the area. Father Gregorio Catena signed a document that allowed the Jesuits to care for the Chinese tenants. The Jesuits named the village Santa Cruz. This name means Holy Cross.
The Confraternity of Our Lady of the Pillar was founded in 1743. The statue of Our Lady of the Pillar was brought from Spain. It became the patroness of the parish. The statue was a copy of one in Zaragosa.
A violent earthquake struck Manila on June 3, 1863. The earthquake destroyed Santa Cruz Chapel. Father Agustin de Mendoza started rebuilding it in 1868. Architect Don Juan Caballero proposed a repair plan. The civil governor approved it in November 1871.
From 1870 to 1898, the Recolletos took charge of Santa Cruz Chapel. Father Exequiel Moreno was assigned as parish priest. He served from February to September 1881. Later, he was beatified in 1975. In 1992, he became Saint Exequiel Moreno.
Santa Cruz was becoming Manila’s center at the end of the 19th century. Wealthy families moved here. Intellectuals also gathered in Santa Cruz. Prominent families included the Mapuas and the Roces.
During the Japanese occupation, the image of Our Lady of the Pillar was hidden. Father Lucio Garcia placed it in a vault. He wanted to protect it from the invaders. This also prevented destruction during the liberation of Manila.
After the war in 1945, Santa Cruz became the nation’s business capital. Bridges reopened and Plaza Goiti became downtown. For many, Santa Cruz became a second parish.
On August 15, 1957, the Blessed Sacrament Community took over administration. Father Morin became the parish priest.
In 1961, Father George Laliberte planned the current sanctuary. Architect Juan Nakpil and sons helped remodel the sanctuary. They donated their services. The project finished in 1970. The main altar holds relics of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. He founded the Blessed Sacrament Community. Relics of Saint Charles Lwanga are also here.
The statues of Our Lady of the Pillar and Saint Peter Julian Eymard stand in niches. The feast of Our Lady of the Pillar is on October 12. The parish fiesta happens on the third Sunday of October. Saint Eymard is the secondary patron since 1985. His feast is on August 2.
Father Gabriel Casal designed the mosaic on the dome. It shows the apocalyptic lamb. The setting includes Filipino mango, banana, and flame trees. Elizabeth Chan designed and created the mosaic using Byzantine and Venetian glass.
On December 18, 1984, Cardinal Jaime Sin clarified the parish’s name. The official name is Santa Cruz. This name comes from old records and tradition. Before this, the parish was named after Our Lady of the Pillar.
Father Nory P. Vasquez became parish priest on June 1, 1989. He was the first Filipino Blessed Sacrament Religious to hold this position.
In 2000, the Parish Pastoral Council sought official recognition as a shrine. On December 17, 2006, Father Felix Elverio began preparations for Santa Cruz Church to become a shrine. A baptismal font was erected. Bishop Bernardino Cortez celebrated the Solemn Dedication of the Church.