Church and Convent of Santo Niño*
Location:
Cebu City (Region VII)
Category:
Buildings/Structures
Type: House of Worship
Status: Level I- National Historical Landmark
Legal Basis:
Presidential Decree No. 260, s. 1973
Marker Date:
1941
Installed By:
Philippines Historical Committee (PHC)
CHURCH AND CONVENT OF SANTO NIÑO
THE CHURCH AND CONVENT ERECTED BY THE AUGUSTINIAN FATHERS UNDER THE REV. ANDRES URDANETA IN 1565 WERE THE FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE PHILIPPINES. BOTH WERE BURNED DOWN ON NOVEMBER 1, 1566. THE SECOND CHURCH WAS LIKEWISE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN MARCH OF 1628, BUT REBUILT SOON AFTER (1628–1629) UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE HISTORIAN REV. JUAN DE MEDINA, O.S.A. THE PRESENT MASSIVE CHURCH WAS DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED DURING THE PRIORSHIP OF REV. JUAN ALBARRAN O.S.A., (1735–1737). THE SANTO NIÑO, VENERATED IN THIS CHURCH SINCE THE TIME OF LEGASPI, IS THE CENTER OF INTENSE DEVOTION AND RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGES THROUGH OUT THE VISAYAS.
