What they say... (2005)

-->“Its impressive beautiful cathedral-chapels in the major towns and cities add to this image of imposing power.”

(Iglesia ni Cristo: A Study in Independent Church Dynamics, p.13)

“How is it that the INC has so many palatial-churches and we see them all over the country, while ours… well, sometimes we cant even tell UCCP churches from dilapidated, wooden residential houses.”

(The Isaiah Paradigm: Recapturing the role of Laity, p.116)

“…a Japanese architect was driving in Tondo and saw the Iglesia church there. Its like a jewel sparkling the sun. …I have traveled to many places, but I have not seen anything like it.”

(“A signature in the sky,” Philippine Free press, p.15)

“….churches constructed by the Iglesia ni Cristo are always expencsive and resplendent and usually appear impressive and overpowering even to the nonbeliever.”

(The Iglesia Ni Cristo , 1914-2000: From Obscure Philippine faith to Global belief system, Bijdragen, p. 581)

“In terms of buildings, there can be little doubt that the magnificent Iglesia Ni Cristo churches reflect and in most cases surpass, the grandeur of the Roman Cathedrals in the Philippines.”

(Dynamic religious movements, p. 314)

“For centuries every Philippine city and town has been dominated by its Roman Catholic cathedrals built and drafted labor on donated ground. But many of these are now old and dilapidated. Iglesia ni Cristo cathedral chapels now rival these ancient buildings in size and surpass them in beauty. Iglesia members still number only a minority of the population, but their buildings dominate many sky lines.”

(Iglesia ni Cristo: A study in Independent church dynamics, p. 180)

“One of the reasons the Iglesia ni Cristo has caught the attention of so many people is the rapid rise all over the archipelago of its beautiful and grand houses of worship. Characterized by simple, elegant lines and spires seemingly reaching for the heavens, these structures manifest the Church’s dedication to building edifices that would serve to bring glory to God. The Iglesia ni Cristo has vigoriously pursued its construction program. So far, it has constructed close to 5000 houses of worship all over the country, with close to 200 others abroad. Because of their number and distinct architectural style, these houses of worship have dramatically changed the nation’s landscape…”

(The Iglesia ni Cristo in the 20^th century, Philippine Free press: 1999-2000 The Philippine century, p. 214)

“In any provincial landscape, the most visible landmark is inevitably the towering spires of the Iglesia ni Cristo church.”

(The INC now, Philippine panorama, p. 30)

“In almost every part of the country now stands an INC church. … Abroad, the INC faith has also spread fast and wide. Several INC chapels and congregations can now be found in key cities of the U.S, in England, in New Guinea, Hongkong and West Germany.”

(The Iglesia ni Cristo, Weekend, p.14)

“The continuing construction of expensive and beautiful chapels in many parts of the islands,--These buildings, often costing millions of pesos each, serve as a compensation for the poverty of many of the members. They are symbol of the success of their movement.”

(A protestant view of the Iglesia ni Cristo, p.66)

“While in the past the Catholic churches dominated for skyline in large population centers, now the huge Cathedral chapels of the Iglesia ni Cristo have risen to challenge, so to speak, the dominance of the Catholic churches. Architecturally well-designed, solidity built, painted, with manicured lawns and always looking clean, they dramatically contrast with the ancient, still strong but drab-looking Catholic Churches. ”

(Manila: history, people and culture, p.93)

“… the church’s most indelible imprint is in the form of unique and stately religious buildings.”

(The Iglesia ni Cristo 1914-2000: From Obscure Philippine faith to Global belief system, Bijdragen, p. 580)

From Pasugo January 2005 issue