One of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the San Andres Apostol Parish Church traces its foundation to around 1580 when Augustinian friars established a mission in what was then a fishing village. The present stone structure was built in the 17th century; like many churches in the Manila area, it survived Spanish rule, the American period, and the Second World War in varying states of repair.
The church stands in the old town barangay of San Andres, away from the airport chaos, and feels genuinely historic. The facade is sober Baroque, the interior cool and darkened by centuries of incense smoke. Mass is celebrated several times daily and the church is rarely empty.