Recoletos Church
Church in Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The San Nicolás de Tolentino Church commonly known as Recoletos Church was a Roman Catholic church within Intramuros in Manila, Philippines.
| Recoletos Church | |
|---|---|
| San Nicolás de Tolentino Church | |
Church in the late 19th century | |
 Recoletos Church | |
| 14°35′16.6″N 120°58′41.4″E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Religious order | Augustinian Recollects |
| History | |
| Status | Mother House |
| Founded | 1608 |
| Dedication | Nicholas of Tolentino |
| Cult present | Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1608 |
| Demolished | 1959[a] |
| Administration | |
| Province | San Nicolás de Tolentino |
It was established and managed by the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines, China, Japan and the Mariana Islands.
History
Earlier buildings
The Augustinian Recollects founded the San Nicolás de Tolentino Church. The first church and convent buildings was erected in 1608 with Bernardino del Castillo donating 100,000 peso for its construction. The first church was made of stone.[1][2][3]
The complex was destroyed by earthquake on November 30, 1645. It was rebuilt but was again destroyed by an earthquake on August 20, 1658, by another earthquake.[3]
The Agustinos Recoletos states that the structure built after the 1658 earthquake was the one which lasted till 1945.[3]
However the National Historical Institute marker noted that a newly constructed building collapsed in 1722 and that the most recent structure was built in 1780.[2]
It was noted to be damaged in 1880 by an earthquake and a typhoon in 1905.[4]
Last church building
The last Recoletos Church was significantly damaged during the Battle of Manila in February 1945 during World War II.[5] Its ruins was left to stand until 1959.[6]
The Manila Bulletin built its headquarters on the site of the former Recoletos Church from 1976 to 1977.[6]
Devotion
The Recoletos Church had the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno of Intramuros as its cult[3] The image of Jesus Christ at the church, is considered as the "original Black Nazarene" assumed to be brought in by the Recollects.[5]
The San Nicolas image was known as the Nazareno Guapo or the Nazareno ng Mayaman due to it being mostly accessible to more affluent devotees.[5][7]
A second image was commissioned and brought in from Mexico in the early 17th century. This image made for native devotees was dubbed as Nazareno Itim or the Nazareno ng Mahirap. It was later transferred to the Quiapo Church around 1767 to 1787 which now serves as the basis for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.[5]
The Nazareno Guapo was destroyed along with the last church building in 1945.[5]
Notes
- Last church building was destroyed in 1945. Ruins were cleared in 1959. Between 1608 and 1945, the church has been destroyed and built numerous times.