Known for completing the construction of Fort Santiago, Governor General Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas (1590-1593) also bought the island of Binondo and surrounding area of Baybay and Longos. This was given in perpetuity to the Christian Chinese. After two years, the Dominican Order established a mission settlement at Binondo. The first church and convent were built with light materials.

Yglesia Parroquial de Binondo

From the Album Vistas de las Yslas Filipinas Y Traces de sus Abitantes

José Honorato Lozano Illustration

Biblioteca Nacional de España

Tobacco factory workers or cigarreras head to work at the factory beside the church.

Yglesia de Binondo

Lithograph

Biblioteca Nacional de España

Iglesia Parroquial del Barrio de Binondo,en Manila

The Dominican mission in Binondo always saw to it that there was a Chinese priest who could communicate to the vast majority of the Chinese parishioners.

Belfry detail

Filipinas Heritage Library

The bells of the church were made by Hilario Sunico, a famous bellcaster and Binondo resident.

Seen in the photo is Fotographia del Rosario at walking distance from Binondo Church.

Looking Northwest from Tower of the Church of Binondo

Underwood & Underwood Stereocard

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Washington, D.C.

The Binondo Church and Convent, Manila, Philippine Islands

Underwood & Underwood Stereocard

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Washington, D.C.

Colorized by Ed Sison of Kinulayang Kasaysayan

Flower vendors at Plaza Calderon

Mario Fier Filipiniana Library

Binondo’s plaza was once full of ambulant vendors. Flower sellers used to station themselves in front of La Insular Cigar and Cigarette Factory and Binondo Church.

Binondo Church

Postcard

Mario Fier Filipiniana Library

Manila Burning, WWII Battle for Manila

John Tewell Collection

Binondo Church with no interior

John Tewell Collection

The Battle of Manila left Intramuros and Binondo in ruins. The church’s facade and carillon were one of the landmark structures left standing amid the destruction.

Binondo Church

UST Archives

Electrical lines criss-cross the view of Binondo Church’s facade.

Binondo Church and its surroundings

Drone Image

Noell Samala Collection