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Central United Methodist Church Manila

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2–3 minutes

Renacimiento Manila
19 Aug 2020

Established in March 5, 1899 as the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, the Central United Methodist Church that we now know today in Kalaw St. in Ermita is the first Protestant church in the Philippines. The present structure is the third methodist church building on site.

Historical Marker from the National Historical Institute installed at the Central United Methodist Church. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

In October 1900 the Board of the Methodist Church purchased a parcel of land at the corner of San Luis St. (now Kalaw St.) and General Luna Street for the construction of their first church building in the Philippines.

Their first church building was constructed in 1901. We currently have no photos of the first Methodist building.

In 1906, the second church building designed by C.B. Ripley was completed. A photo of this second church may be seen below. Ten years later in 1916, the church was renamed as the Central Student Church.

The second church building of the Central United Methodist Church in San Luis St. (now Kalaw St.), 1906.
Photo from Lou Goupal via Manila Nostalgia, 21 July 2013.

The present structure, the third church on site, was designed by Juan M. Arellano and was completed in 1932. During the Second World War, the structure was occupied by the Japanese forces and was subsequently destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945.

The ruins of the church, 22 May 1945.
Photo from John Tewell via Flickr, 22 Feb 2020.
The ruins of the church, ca. 1945.
Photo from John Tewell via Flickr, 22 Feb 2020.

The structure was completely ruined after the Battle of Manila. Fortunately, the church was reconstructed after the war following its original design, and in 1949 it was inaugurated renamed as the Central Church.

The Central Church in the 1960s.
Photo from Lou Goupal via Manila Nostalgia, 21 July 2013.

Today the Central United Methodist Church stands as one of the finest gems in the pantheon of Protestant heritage in the Philippines.

The church at present. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

References

  • Historical Marker installed by the National Historical Institute, 1985
  • Goupal, Lou. (2013). Malate – Ermita District: Part 3 in Manila Nostalgia. Retrieved 19 Aug 2020 via lougop al. co m/m anila/?paged=32
  • Wikimedia Commons (for public domain photos)
RENACIMIENTO MANILA is a group of artists, creators and history enthusiasts committed to heritage advocacy, with particular interest on Manila’s built heritage. As such, the purpose of Renacimiento Manila is to produce art to promote and realize Manila’s cultural rebirth and for it to materialize its core philosophy, the Renacimiento Movement. The Renacimiento Movement. What, then, is the Renacimiento Movement? The movement is the core philosophy of the organization. It is founded on the reality that heritage is a cornerstone of holistic development and that it is indispensable in ensuring quality of life. As such, cultural revival is necessary for the promotion of heritage in the national agenda. Heritage should be driven by the people, regardless of race, gender, creed, or religion. This cultural revival can be achieved through the following ways: government support, the advancement of private initiatives, and the engagement of the people.

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