Iglesia Filipina Independiente National Cathedral

Iglesia Filipina Independiente National Cathedral
Cathedral of the Holy Child
Facade of the Building
Location in Metro Manila
Basic information
Location	Ermita, Manila
Geographic coordinates	14°34′42″N 120°59′21″E / 14.578266°N 120.989282°E / 14.578266; 120.989282Coordinates: 14°34′42″N 120°59′21″E / 14.578266°N 120.989282°E / 14.578266; 120.989282
Affiliation	Philippine Independent Church
District	Ermita, Manila
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Status	Active
Patron	Holy Infant Jesus
Website	http://ifinc.org/
Architectural description
Architect(s)	Architect Carlos D. Arguelles
Groundbreaking	1964

The Cathedral of the Holy Child, the National Cathedral of Philippine Independent Church, is the seat of the Obispo Maximo, its Chief Pastor and Spiritual Head, located in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. The National Cathedral was built in 1969 and dedicated to the honor of the Holy Infant Jesus, Patron Saint of Tondo, Manila. It replaced the first Cathedral in Tondo, Manila, which was completely destroyed during World War II.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente's first central church was actually the ground floor of a big house located at 488 Calle Lemery (now Juan Luna Street), a few meters away from Paseo de Azcarraga, in Tondo, Manila. Doña Saturnina Salazar, mother-in-law of Felipe Buencamino, also known as the wealthy and grand old lady of Tondo, Manila, was the owner of the house. It was in the same house, on October 26, 1902, where the historic grand inauguration, launching and celebration of the first solemn high mass as Obispo Maximo of Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. was held. After the historic event, Doña Saturnina also volunteered to finance the building of the National Cathedral in a lot she voluntarily donated to the church but without deed.

In January 1905, the blessing and inauguration of the National Cathedral happened. The church, otherwise known as the Tondo Cathedral, stood in the more than 2,000 square meter lot at 227 (formerly No. 111) Calle Azcarraga (now Claro M. Recto Avenue), but was totally destroyed on February 6, 1945 by the indiscriminate bombing by the American forces during World War II. Felix de la Cruz was assigned as the first priest of Tondo Cathedral. He served from 1905 until his death in 1907. Santiago Fonacier succeeded him.

With the destruction of the National Cathedral, gone too the church lot when it was recovered by the heirs of Saturnina Salazar. For over twenty years, the Church was without a national center of worship. While there were plans to build a National Cathedral after the war, yet the attention of the national leadership was diverted to solve the many internal problems besetting the church. The Maria Clara Christ Church at V. Concepcion Street in Santa Cruz, Manila served as the temporary national center of worship.