The original structure of the Binondo Church, formally known as Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish or The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, was constructed in 1596. Founded by Dominican friars, it is one of the oldest places of Christian worship in the Philippines. One of its significant early architects was Domingo de la Cruz González. Although repeatedly damaged from earthquakes (1645, 1863, 1880), typhoons and war the often rebuilt Binondo church still reflects its historic Spanish and European Baroque style and retains many elements of its original character. The octagonal bell tower, however, is the only significant remaining part of the original structure Heavily damaged during the Second World War, the Binondo church was reconstructed in three phases and completed in 1984. A new three-story parish center and convent was added at the back of the church. The most striking feature of the rebuilt interior is the more marble and gilded reredos depicting the facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Spanish had barred Chinese from living within the walled city of the Intramuros, so they set roots north of the Pasig River. There the Filipino-Chinese Christians built their church on what is now Quitin Paredes Street at Plaza Calderon dela Barca. The numerous Chinese Christians in the community still provide much of the support for its maintenance. The neighborhood around the church remains Manila's Chinatown with numerous "Old World" style Chinese stores, restaurants and banks—amidst the modernity of coffee and gift shops. A number of the buildings in the neighborhood managed to survive the extensive bombing of the Second World War.
