Sanctuario del Santo Nino or Church of San Juan del Monte

One of the nicest churches I've been to is Sanctuario del Santo Nino tucked away in San Juan, Metro Manila. I first passed by this Church when I went with my mom to pick up my sister currently working as a nurse at the St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital situated beside the church. I was awed by the simple but compelling beauty of the church since then.A bit of history.The marker found beside the entrance to the convent shares a bit of history about the chuch known also as the Church of San Juan Del Monte.

The church and convent were built in 1602 to 1604 by the Dominican Province
of the Most Holy Rosary on a site donated by Capitan Julian de Cuenca. Both
buildings were burned during the Chinese uprising of 1639. The new church and
convent constructed in 1641 were set on fire in July 1763 during the British
occupation of Manila. The present church and convent constructed in 1774 were
used by the insurgent forces of the revolution of 1898. This Sactuary is the
seat of the cofraternity of Santisimo Cristo de San Juan Del Monte approved by
Pope Innocent X on March 4, 1648.

- Historical Research and Markers Committee

inside the Church

Hmm.. Come to think of it, the town of San Juan could actually have been named after this Church.

The long wooden beams give a rustic feel. I loved the stained glass windows too.

So how do you get here?

Sanctuario del Santo Nino is tucked away in the middle of San Juan. Coming from Quezon Avenue, you'd need to make a turn for Araneta Avenue. Just follow the road til you reach the end of it where you'd have to take a left turn. Make a right turn at F. Blumentritt St. (you won't miss it, there's a 711 convenience store by the corner) and go straight ahead. It's right after the Dominican College. You'd definitely see it right away.