It’s no wonder that the preceding post is about the Manila Cathedral, as Malate Church is just a couple of hundred meters away, just along Roxas Avenue in Manila City. It’s also now wonder that both churches are lumped together, as both are favorite venues for weddings. In fact, the one and only time I was here, I was attending a wedding (Malate Church also has a reception venue conveniently found just beside it).

Malate Church is just a few meters from Baywalk (right photo below) and the Manila Bay. Separating Baywalk from the church is Roxas Blvd. and the park known as the Liwasang Rajah Sulayman (see statue in photo below). It’s flanked by a number of restaurants, including Aristocrat and Max’s Fried Chicken.

The Malate Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The marker placed by the Historical Research and Markers Committee reveals that the section were Malate Church is found dates back to 1588. The Malate Church was rebuilt after it was damaged during the earthquake of 1863, the same earthquake that damaged the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica.

As noted above, Malate Church is a favorite wedding venue, just like the the Manila Cathedral, even if busy roads run in front and the sides of it. You could see from the first photo that a wedding ceremony is going on. You couldn’t see in the pictures that another bride-groom tandem is having a photo session at the Baywalk. You also couldn’t see that I was almost tempted to join the picture-taking session and post some photos here. Thank God Malate Church is nearby to neutralize the temptation, of taking photos, that is.

Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church (Makati City)

According to the marker placed in 1937 by the Historical Research and Markers Committee (Church and Monastery of Guadalupe):

“The foundations of this church and monastery of the Augustinian Order were laid in 1601 and construction work was finished in 1629. Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe was chosen titular patroness in 1803. After the Chinese uprising of 1839 this sanctuary served as a seat of devotion for the Chinese. The buildings withstood the earthquakes of 1645, 1658, 1754 and 1863. The masonry roof of the church collapsed in the earthquakes of 1880 and the structure was rebuilt in 1882 by Rev. Jose Corujedo, O.S.A. Site of an orphan asylum and trade school administered by the Augustinian Order for the benefit of the children of the victims of the cholera of 1882. Both church and monastery were gutted by fire in February 1898, during the early skirmishes between Americans and Filipinos.”

Very historic, I must say. Now, if only I could add something to that marker, I’d add that this is the church where I got married the first time (which is also the last time, of course).

Entrance viewed from the altar of Nuestra Señora de Gracia

The history and architecture of the church add to the solemnity of the wedding. The church is not huge like the Manila Cathedral, but that makes it perfect for intimate weddings, limited only for family and very close friends.

Altar at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Church (Makati City)

But you don’t have to get married just to visit this church, which I suggest you should do.