DID YOU KNOW: Reconstruction of Quiapo Church in 1930s

In 1929, a huge fire destroyed St. John the Baptist Church, more popularly known as Quiapo Church, in Manila.

It was reconstructed by Fr. Magdaleno Castillo based on the plans made by architect and National Artist Juan Nakpil in 1933.

The church was consecrated into  a minor basilica on Feb. 1, 1988, by the papal nuncio, Most Rev. Bruno  Torpigliani, and became known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

Every Jan. 9, devotees commemorate the transfer of the Black Nazarene from the Recollect church in Intramuros where it was first enshrined to Quiapo Church on Jan. 9, 1787. —Marielle Medina