INC Central Temple

The Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple (Filipino: Templo Central^[3]) is the flagship temple of the Philippine-based Independent Christian church, the Iglesia ni Cristo. Located along Commonwealth Avenue corner Central Avenue in Quezon City, it was completed on July 27, 1984, and is the biggest church/place of worship in the country with a capacity of around 7,000 people.^[4][5]

Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple
Templo Central (Filipino)
The INC Central Temple
14°39′48.0″N 121°03′55.4″E
Location	New Era, Quezon City
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Iglesia ni Cristo
History
Status	Central Temple[1]
Architecture
Functional status	active
Architect(s)	Carlos A. Santos-Viola
Architectural type	Neo-Gothic
Years built	4
Completed	July 27, 1984; 40 years ago (1984-07-27)
Specifications
Capacity	7,000
Number of spires	22 (6 major spires)
Administration
District	Central[2]

Background

Built on complex of the INC Central Office, the Temple was erected 15 years after the completion of the Central Office. It was designed to hold around 7,000 worshipers, accommodating some 3,000 in the main hall and 1,900 in its two side chapels. In addition, the ground floor sanctuary, connected to the main hall by video circuit, can accommodate an excess crowd of around 2,000. The sanctuary has a large baptistery pool designed for the simultaneous baptism of up to 600 people.^[6]

In 2014, a 20-ton pipe organ with 3,162 individual pipes custom made by American firm A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company, was installed within the period of 14 months in time for the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Central Temple on July 27. The organ was first played during the special worship service held on July 5, 2014.^[5]

While standing both as seat of the Central District and the principal chapel of the Church, under its latter role also the ecclesiastical seat of the Executive Minister, it is organized in a similar manner as other locales, led by a Church-appointed resident minister, assisted by other ministers, assigned evangelical workers and lay staff.