THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO MUSEUM:
PRESERVING THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO HERITAGE
One of the major “centennial
projects” of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), the new five-story building will house the Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum
THE FIRST INC GALLERY
The first INC Gallery was established
in the early 1980s. This was housed at the ground floor of the INC Central
Office building at Quezon City, Philippines. It display some pictures from the
early years of the Church and from that period.
The establishment of the first
INC Gallery signifies the vision of the then Executive Minister of the Church
of Christ, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, of establishing a museum of the Church.
Before the 80th anniversary of the Church, the Church Administration
commissioned a group of brethren, headed by Sister Estrelita Peña-Javier for
the establishment of the Church’s museum and gallery. The group labored to
collect pictures, memorabilia and artifacts to be displayed for the museum which
is under construction during that time.
THE FIRST IGLESIA NI CRISTO MUSEUM
On July, 1984, as part of the 80th
anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, and right after the dedication of INC
Central Temple, the Church Administration inaugurated the Iglesia Ni Cristo
Museum and Gallery located at Central Temple complex, along Commonwealth Avenue,
Quezon City. The museum showcases the history of the Iglesia Ni Cristo from her
beginning up to the present.
This two-story building that currently
houses the Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum and Gallery, also currently houses the Central
Temple locale office, the offices of the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City
and the Ecclesiastical District of Central, and the Church’s Social Services
Office.
We are not going to describe here
what you are going to see inside this museum. We want you to see it yourself. However,
we assure you that it will be an unforgettable experience.
Everyone is welcome (members and
non-members alike). No need for
reservation, you can walkthrough and you will be welcomed by the friendly
staff and receptionists of the Museum (receptionists and tour guides are BEM
students). You can go there alone or by-group. Just be sure to go to the museum
on visiting hours. The museum is open on the following schedule:
Tuesday 9:00-11:00 am and 1:00-3:00 pm
Wednesday 1:00-3:00 pm
Thursday 1:00-3:00 pm
Saturday 9:00-11:00 am and 1:00-3:00 pm
Sunday 11:00-1:00 pm
THE MUSEUM IN PUNTA, STA. ANA, MANILA
The old house of worship of the
Iglesia Ni Cristo in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, built in 1930s and dedicated by
Brother Felix Y. Manalo himself, was turned into a museum. This landmark was well-preserved
in its pre-war glory.
Brother Felix Y. Manalo first preached
the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, in November, 1913. In the
early months of 1914, the first locale congregation of the Church in the
Philippines was established, the Locale of Punta. In 1937, the Iglesia Ni Cristo
built a house of worship for the Locale of Punta. However, because the number
of the brethren in this locale continuously increased, the Church purchased a new
lot and built a bigger house of worship on the same spot where Brother Felix Y.
Manalo first preached the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The new house of worship was
dedicated by Brother Eraño G. Manalo in 1993.
Because of this, the old house of
worship of the Locale of Punta was converted into a Museum. As part of the
preservation work, the old grounds were expanded and an extensive restoration
work was done from 1998-2000 to bring back the look of the structure as it was
when it was dedicated in 1937. The museum in Punta was inaugurated in the year 2000.
Today, this place now stands as a
museum to remind people of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s past. Inside, one can see
the original flooring, furniture, even the woodwork like the balusters that
were painstakingly restored after long being buried under various works that
were made over the years, especially when it still served as a place of worship.
Visiting the INC Museum in Punta,
Sta. Ana, Manila, one need to make an appointment. You can call 981-4311 and
ask the operator to be connected to INC Museum or talk to the Museum staff as
you visited the INC Museum in Quezon City.
THE MUSEUM IN NEW ERA, HAWAII
The very place where the first
worship service in Hawaii in 1968, officiated by Brother Eraño G. Manalo, was
also converted to a Museum. Thus, it is the third museum of the Iglesia Ni
Cristo.
THE NEW “IGLESIA NI CRISTO MUSEUM”
The New Museum building of the
Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) is now currently being built. Located
along Central Avenue, this five-story building will house the Iglesia Ni Cristo
Museum. Thus, after its completion, the museum inside the Central Temple complex
(along Commonwealth Avenue) will be transferred to the new building. Scheduled
to be inaugurated on May, 2014. Hence, it is also as part of the Iglesia Ni
Cristo Grand Centennial celebration.
The new museum is intended to set
a new standard in our country using state-of-the-art technologies. The first floor
of the mew museum will house the Children Museum, audio-visual room and the
moving-gallery. The second floor will contain the Fast Lane, the third floor
will showcase the history of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the fourth floor will showcase
the thematic section of the museum, and the fifth floor will house the office
and storage room of the museum.
Truly, another exciting feature of our Grand Centennial Celebration!
Really can’t wait for the Centennial!
To God be all the glories!
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© THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO 2013
No part of this publication may be produced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission from the publisher.
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