96th Anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo(INC)

As a young adult, in a period that saw the Filipino nation transiting from more than 300 years of colonial rule, Felix Ysagun Manalo, in search of the truth, drifted from one organization to another. In 1913, he started to preach to whoever would listen. His teachings were embraced by a steadily expanding pool of faithful.

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) was formally established on July 27, 1914, within its first chapel in Punta, Santa Ana. Its expansion continued under Minister Manalo and in 1916, he began establishing congregations throughout the country. Even before World War II, the INC had already formed local churches in Mindanao. In 1949, the Iglesia built its first central office and official residence of the Executive Minister on Riverside Street, San Juan, Metro Manila. The congregation grew from approximately 85,000 in 1936 to 200,000 in 1954. By 1970, the INC had about 500,000 members and was established in almost every province in the Philippines.

In the late 1950s, as Minister Manalo’s health started to fail, his son Eraño de Guzman Manalo began to take on the leadership role under his father’s guidance. When Minister Manalo passed away in 1963, there was no disruption in the church’s activities as his son, popularly called Ka Erdy, took over the duties as Executive Minister.

Shortly after assuming office, Executive Minister Eraño Manalo began to travel to the various congregations, officiating at worship services, and staging religious rallies. Over the next 30 years, the Iglesia established more than 4,000 locals and 100 districts. The Iglesia became the fastest growing church in the Philippines and it expanded to other countries, beginning with the United States. It started operating its own radio station in 1969. Today, the INC has a 24-hour cable television channel.

By 2008, INC had grown to more than 5,000 congregations in the Philippines and more than 600 abroad. The INC now has local congregations in 89 countries and territories, and its members belonging to 102 nationalities and ethnic groups.

With the passing away of its second Executive Minister, the much loved Manalo, on August 31, 2009, the leadership of the church passed on to his son, Eduardo V. Manalo, who had served as Deputy Executive Minister.

We congratulate the Iglesia ni Cristo led by Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, its leaders and faithful, on the occasion of their 96th Anniversary Tuesday, July 27, 2010. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors.