Santa Cruz Church is one of the churches that I most often see whenever I travel to work. The church is officially called Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church, and recognized as the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament situated in the Santa Cruz district of Manila.

The Jesuits erected the initial Catholic church in 1619, which was constructed from stone and wood. In 1643, the Jesuits enshrined the image of Our Lady of Pillar, catering to the predominantly Chinese residents in the area. Unfortunately, on June 3, 1863, an earthquake ravaged the church. Reconstruction efforts were initiated in 1868 to restore the church to its former glory.

The original church endured damage from earthquakes twice before being utterly demolished during the Battle of Manila. The current church building, reconstructed in 1957, was crafted to embody the Spanish baroque style reminiscent of the architectural flair found in Spanish missions in California. Additionally, the interior of the church showcases influences from Art Deco and Romanesque styles.

The church facade exudes the characteristic Mission Revival style, featuring Ionic piers that vertically divide the first two levels into three sections. Three semicircular arch doorways serve as the main entrance to the church. Positioned at the center of the second level is a Celtic-like window, flanked by small semicircular windows. Atop the facade, the topmost level boasts a raking cornice with undulating lines, emanating from the broken pediment situated above the statued niche. Rising on the right side is the domed belfry, ascending in six levels.