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Spanish-era Makati: Guadalupe Church and San Pedro Macati

Spanish-era Makati: Guadalupe Church and San Pedro Macati

Makati's two Spanish-era churches are about 1.3 km apart in a straight line. Guadalupe Church (Nuestra Señora de Gracia) was founded by the Augustinians in 1601. Sts. Peter and Paul in Poblacion was built by the Jesuits in 1620 and is now a National Museum Important Cultural Property.

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Two churches from Makati's Spanish era still stand, and both are still parish churches.

Guadalupe Church (Nuestra Señora de Gracia)

Where: 7440 Bernardino Street, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati. The parish area is bounded by EDSA to the east, Bernardino Street to the west and Jose P. Rizal Street along the Pasig River to the south. MRT-3 has a Guadalupe station in Makati.

History, from the sources cited:

  • 1601: the Augustinians founded the church and monastery.
  • 1603: a chapter of the order changed the patroness to Our Lady of Guadalupe, after the image venerated in Extremadura, Spain.
  • Revolution era: the Augustinians stayed until the Philippine Revolution. The church and monastery were then left in ruins by earthquakes and conflict. Interaksyon's report dates the ruin to 1899, during the Philippine–American War.
  • 1970: the Augustinians returned. They rebuilt the church as a parish and restored the monastery, nearly 75 years after they had left.
  • 2024: after more than 50 years, the Augustinians handed the parish to the Archdiocese of Manila. A turnover Mass was held on 16 June 2024, and the new parish priest took over on 1 August 2024. The Monasterio de Guadalupe, a seminary for late vocations, was handed over at the same time.

San Pedro Macati (Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church)

Where: 5539 D.M. Rivera Street, Poblacion, Makati. Plaza Cristo Rey, once the San Pedro de Macati cemetery, is in front of the façade.

History, from the church's historical marker and the National Museum declaration (as reported by CBCP News):

  • 1578: Franciscan missionaries were the first in the area.
  • 1620: the Jesuits built the church, dedicated to St. Peter, and ran it until 1768.
  • 1639: the church was caught up in the fighting of the Chinese uprising.
  • 1718: a Jesuit priest brought the image of the Virgen de la Rosa from Spain by way of Mexico. It is still venerated in the church.
  • 1899: during the Philippine–American War, US troops used the church as their headquarters and hospital.
  • After 1965: following Vatican II, St. Paul was added as a patron, and it became Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church.
  • 29 June 2023: the National Museum of the Philippines declared it an Important Cultural Property, on the feast of its patron saints.

Practical notes

  • Distance: using the two churches' published coordinates, they are about 1.3 km apart in a straight line. The walking route is longer. Use a map app for directions on the day.
  • Mass times: we couldn't find a schedule published by either parish, so we don't list one. Ask at the parish office, or check the parish's own channels before you go.

Sources