Architectural design of INC chapels copied from Mormons?

INC critics say that the architectural design of the INC chapels are copied from the LDS church.

IS THIS TRUE?

We will answer that later.


It is true that architectural design of the INC chapels have similarities not only with the chapels of the LDS church but also to other churches like chapels of Roman Catholic Church.

How is this happen???

On answering this, we should first know what kind of architectural design is in the chapels of the INC.

I dont know what is exactly the kind of arch. design of INC chapels, but as what it is described by people, here is what they say:

as structures "which employ exterior neo-Gothic vertical support columns with tall narrow windows between, interlocking trapezoids, and rosette motifs, as well as tower and spires." -Culture and customs of the Philippines, a book published by Greenwood Publishing Group


INC churches can be uniquely identified for "its exuberant use of fanciful forms and ornaments [and a] brilliant white facade whose silhouette is a cusped Gothic arch or a flattened Saracenic arch." -Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita, an anthropologist from Ateneo de Manila University

Central Temple characterized by simples, elegant lines and towering spires pointing toward the heavens and seemingly reaching for the heavens, these structure manifest the church’s dedication to building edifices and become landmark that serve as a monument of faith. Central Temple uniquely designed which inspired by Neo-Gothic architecture, these mega structure continues to leave one awestruck by its imposing brilliance and un-ignorable majesty. The temple has strong five huge and ten small towering vertical spires with a sense of great height, huge size of cantilever in main entrance hall, detailed curving and asymmetrical windows, while inside it built with one huge arch vault and addition of two arc vault smaller than to its center ceiling covered the place of offerings and worshipping area.

Furthermore, it has balcony for further extension to address large number of people were faced the front choir area beside of it is called “tribuna” which is the placed where Ministers stand while preaching, it usually made of hardwood with a consistent and detailed curving. The Temple also have offices of District Ministers inside. Since its completion and dedication to God, the Central Temple today remains as beautiful and magnificent as ever, well-preserved trough the years. For almost 3 decades the Temple has borne witness to various groundbreaking events in recent church history. -Elmer Briginia


INC chapels are built distinct, unique, great, and modern which has some NEO-GOTHIC STYLE. These are the words on how they describe architectural design of INC chapels and the Central Temple.

On our Highschool days, we are taught about the different architectural designs of structures, like Neo-gothic, Gothic, Romanesque, Greek, Baroque and so on...

Different churches around the world has their own architectural design:

Like the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican of the Catholic Church is said to have the Renaissance and Baroque architectural style.




The Canterbury Cathedral of Church of England is said to be an example of Gothic Architecture.



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Incidentally, the Architectural design of one of the chapels of the LDS church, which is the Salt Lake Temple have Gothic mixed with diff. classical styles.




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This is an example of Neo-Gothic design:




source: about.com

Saying the the INC copied the architectural design of the LDS church only because both has gothic and neo-gothic designs, is called IGNORANCE. And if you still insist that the INC copied it from the Mormons, then i also insist that the Arch. design of Mosques of Islam are copied from the Catholic Church since CC existed first before Islam. And the Catholic Church arch. design are copied from the Hinduism since Hinduism existed first before CC.

A Mosque

Basilica of St. Mary of Health

A Hindu Temple

Going back to INC's architectural design...


Who are the key people of the INC's unique arch. design?

"Recent buildings are variations of Carlos A. Santos-Viola's designs on the Central Temple. These are designed to accommodate 250 to 1,000 persons while larger churches in Metro Manila and provincial capitals can accommodate up to 3,000 persons. Prominent architects, such as Juan Nakpil (a National Artist of the Philippines for architecture) and Carlos Raúl Villanueva, had been involved in designing INC churches while the Engineering and Construction Department of INC, established in 1971, oversees the uniformity in design of church buildings." source: wikipedia


What are the contribution of Carlos Santos-Viola?

"One of his most well known clients was the Christian evangelical group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Although his first exposure to them (through the San Juan Bishop's Palace) was executed under Juan Nakpil & Associate, INC gave the second project (Cubao chapel or "kapilya") to Arch. Santos-Viola that initiated a long lasting work relationship building kapilyas all over the Philippines through excellent craftsmanship.

His strict construction supervision of the INC's skilled workers greatly influenced the final outcome of his projects. The Master valued strict attention to detail that was emphasized prior to, during and after each every construction. His designs were primarily based on functionality that was built with integrity, adorned with 20th Century geometric forms garnished with Gothic and Baroque lines.

Arch. Santos-Viola was a devout Catholic throughout his entire life. He served as a Eucharistic Lay Minister for his parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The INC never ceased persuading him to join their group through endless but friendly debates after their work meetings." source: architectcarlossantos-viola.blogspot.com


Who conceptualized INC chapels?

1962
Establishment of an ecclesiastical district in Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian.

The Church continued to construct concrete and large houses of worship with the unique INC architectural design, which was conceptualized by Brother Felix himself. Before he passed away, he approved and instructed the plan to build the worship building of Bago Bantay in Quezon City, Philippines.

On his sickbed, Brother Felix sent for his grandson, Brother Eduardo, and placed his hands over the child’s head and blessed him in front of several witnesses. source: Pasugo Issue May 2011


Different INC's architectural Design on Houses of Worship in the Philippines
The INC chapel's exterior and interior designs evolves as time goes by...

First concrete house of Worship in INC's history:
Locale of Washington, Sampaloc manila (repainted)

Second concrete house of Worship in INC's history:
Locale of F. manalo, Riverside San Juan Manila

Other Houses of Worship...

Locale of Cubao

Locale of San Francisco Del monte

Locale of Malabon

Locale of F. Manalo, Angeles City

Locale of New Era, Dasmarinas Cavite

Locale of Cabanatuan

Locale of Cavite

Locale of Baguio

Modern Houses of Worship...

Locale of Gibraltar, Benguet

Locale of Concepcion, Marikina

Locale of Arayat Pampanga

And lastly, to where i was really amazed,
Locale of Pembo, Makati

Are INC chapels scary because of spires?

Its funny to hear stories on how nonmembers describe and give meaning to the spires on INC chapels, others say its for the chapels fly upwards to heaven on the last days or the chapels will be like spaceships that will fly to heaven on the last days. While others say those spires are missiles that means war, that will attack non INC members someday. Very Funny hahaha

If it is the case, then most churches around the world with spires, may it be of islam, catholic church, hinduism, and so on, all chapels that has spires, will also fly to heaven like these: