History of Cathedral of Praise

Founded in 1954

Founded in 1954, formerly Manila Bethel Temple, The Cathedral of Praise is a Christian church founded
in 1954 by Ptr. Lester Sumrall. Currently under shepherded by Pastors David and Beverley Sumrall, COP
operates a Main Campus along Taft Avenue, Manila, an East Campus in Pioneer Centre, Pasig, a South
Campus at Versailles, Las Piñas and a North Campus along Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City

the Church had grown to a membership of 15,000, with a large staff including 90 full-time, paid,
evangelists engaged in attracting others in the predominately Roman Catholic Philippines to evangelical
Christianity.

Cathedral of Praise is currently expanding. In their website, they mentioned their plan to plant 200
churches in 20 years.

After nearly three decades of building and finishing the construction costs of the 8,000-seat fully air-
conditioned state-of-the-art auditorium, the COP complex and congregational facilities continue to
expand not only in the main campus but also in key areas of the metro. Each campus provides a
spacious, comfortable and technically well-equipped sanctuary to house regular worship services and
special ministry events. Aside from the Manila Campus, the COP East Campus over at the Pioneer Centre
in Mandaluyong, South Campus located at the Versailles Place in Las Piñas, and the newly built North
Campus in Commonwealth, Quezon City, serve members residing in those areas. In the works are the
plans to build for the South Campus its own facilities and over-all maintenance and specific upgrades of
portions of the Main Campus are also underway.

Cathedral of Praise have aired in different TV Networks. Cathedral of Praise with David Sumrall started
airing at ABS-CBN from year 1986 to 1992. Then it was moved at the reopened ABC 5 from 1992 to 1995
GMA 7year 1995 and ended airing at year 2004. Followed by airing at RPN/ Solar TV the same year to
present.

On January 29, 2017, Cathedral of Praise formally launched its own radio station, COP Bible Radio, DZBR
531 kHz on the AM band, from Tanauan, Batangas. DZBR broadcasts gospel-related programs from 5:00
AM to 12:00 MN. daily on traditional AM radio and 24/7 via internet streaming. The station can be heard
in the whole Batangas, and some parts of Calabarzon and Metro Manila. On February 23, DZBR started
its test broadcast.

REFLECTIONS:

ALIZAH:

Going to a non-Catholic church isn’t new to me at all. I’ve been into a Methodist Church before when I
was thirteen years old. I’ve attended several events with them and I was encouraged to join them
regularly. But, my aunties and uncles were against it. It’s because they don’t want me to be confused
when it comes to my faith and beliefs. So, from then on, I didn’t not attend any non-Catholic gatherings.
But, I am not against them or with what they do or they believe. I actually admire them for being so
dedicated and passionate about what they believe in. It’s my first time again to go in a non-Catholic
church after several years. We went to a Born-Again church along Taft Avenue, Manila which is called
the Cathedral of Praise. At first, I thought that they won’t entertain or accommodate us because maybe
their church is very inclusive, but gladly, they very open and welcoming when it comes to
accommodating guests like us even though we are Catholic. Their church is a very modern kind of place.
They really have a huge place for all their believers, and it’s like conducting a wide service or worship
program and a big celebration. When the person in charge was telling us about their ways and
traditions, she was really eager in encouraging us to join their services. She said that there are a lot of
activities being conducted by their church and learnings to absorb from the pastor. It was really
fascinating that we see in the eyes of the people there how eager they are to spread the words of God
and share it to us. They want us to experience how is it to serve God with no hesitation and with full
dedication to Him. I think, it is something that makes them different from the ways of the Catholic
people or Catholic church. Catholic ways and traditions are more on the words and teachings that we
must obey, while for them, you must experience to know, and participate to understand how it really is
to live with God.

DAVID:

We went to a christian church in UN taft almost in-front of Emilio Aguinaldo College. Honestly, you
wouldn't thought that it is a church if you have no idea at all that it is a sacred place. The structure is just
a simple 2 story wide building with a big arena alike inside where they do their services. They have kind
staffs out there but it felt like you're not that welcome if you do not belong to their religion simply
because you need a reason why you would go there and they immediately ask for a letter of visitation. It
was kind a feeling that they choose who their visitors are. But with all those imperfections, they still
welcome us and talked to us. They informed us a few about their religion. One thing that I'm not sure of
is that what's inside their service center why they don't allow us to take pictures. Well I guess it's their
privacy we have to respect that but I hope that they kind a lessen their strict to visitors.

PAM:

The Non-Catholic Church also it was a nice experience; it’s my first time to go in a non-catholic church
which is the Cathedral of Praise they are Born again. The Cathedral of Praise is a Christian church
founded in 1954 and located the main campus along Taft Avenue. When entered the gate and approach
the guard the first thing they asked to us if we have a letter from our professor so that they see it’s legit
or true. We said we don’t have but the guard said will try if the staff of the cathedral of praise will
approve/ or allow us to ask about the history of their church. The staff in the front desk is very nice and
approachable she also said the history of their church is in the internet. And they said to us to come to
their service every wed 7pm, Friday 7pm. But in the end they didn’t allow us and they said they need a
letter consent from our professor to know if this church visit is legit. The difference of Non-Catholic in
Catholic, the non-catholic is very strict when it comes to their information of you want to know you will
go to their service so that you will know what are there doing in their community.

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History of San Miguel Church:

History of San Miguel Parish

The security around the are of San Miguel Church is quite tight. If you are driving into the area you must
leave your license at one of the security checkpoints in the perimeter, and photography of the
Malacañang exteriors is also not allowed for security reasons.

The presence of these added measures, however, do not rob San Miguel of its tranquil charm. If
anything, it makes the area seem a lot safer for the average passerby. San Miguel remains primarily
residential, and many of Manila’s old families still maintain homes here.

When in the area, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve stepped inside a time machine and were transported
back to the bygone era of Manila’s glory days. If you were looking to fall in love with Manila all over
again, or just learn a little more about the dynamic history of the city, San Miguel would be an excellent
place to start.

San Miguel Church or the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels is approximately 415 years
old already. It was the first stoned church and the first church that was built Jesuits outside Intramuros
in 1603. It was formerly known as Dilao. In the 17th and early 18th centuries, there was an increase in
the number of Japanese expatriates in that area, where they established a community. In 1611, the
Jesuits and Filipino Catholics accommodated the Japanese Christians who were persecuted by the
Tokugawa Shogunate. It was Blessed Dom Justo Takayam, a daimyō or feudal lord, who led a group of
approximately 300 Japanese Christians to the Philippines in 1614. According to some sources, the parish
was named after Saint Michael, because most of the Japanese who arrived were of the samurai or
warrior class. The church was damaged in the 1645 Luzon earthquake, and during the British Occupation
that was part of the Seven Years' War. The church was rebuilt in 1913 on its present site through the
generous assistance of Doña Margarita Róxas de Ayala. It also became the temporary cathedral of
Manila when Manila Cathedral was destroyed. It was also a temporary residence of the archbishop
before. Also, San Miguel Church has always been the official parish church of the president of the
Philippines ever since it was built. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos held their marriage in San Miguel
Church. This church indeed served many purposes in the arch diocese of Manila.

The sculpture of St. Michael was built in 1986 by the national famous sculptor, Caedo. San Miguel
Corporation started at the back of this church. They actually named their company after San Miguel
Church.

The grotto in the church cemetery was donated by the former president, Carlos P. Garcia.

Also, the National Shrine of St. Jude was the child of San Miguel Church. Centro Escolar University –
Manila is part of San Miguel parish church.

The church exterior also has some attractions that include a massive bronze statue of Saint Michael the
Archangel fighting Lucifer, and a booth that sells rosaries and prayer booklets. The parish is also keen to
promote devotion to the 7 archangels among the Catholic faithful, and can tell you who your guardian
angel is by inputting your date of birth in a wheel chart right outside the church

REFLECTIONS:

ALIZAH:

As a catholic, I admit that when I transferred here in Manila for School, I haven’t already been attending
masses regularly. I always have my excuses and I know that it is not a good attitude in being a Catholic.
But, not going to mass regularly doesn’t mean that I am a bad person already. I still pray and still believe
in teachings and words of God in the Catholic tradition. The church where we went to is the church that
I have been visiting and attending since I was young whenever I am here in Manila. So much things have
changed from then up to now as years passes by in San Miguel Church or also called as the National
Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels. But, the memories I’ve shared with people in that church
remains with me. As I went there with my groupmates, all the memories flashed back in me once again.
But, as one of the priests in charge there had us around and inside the Church, and even at their
convent, San Miguel Church is indeed beyond just a structure for celebrating holy masses. Its historical
background made me realized how significant it was for many people and even for this country from the
day it was built which was 400 years ago until today. It was built before world war 2 and the original
structure was destroyed, the church witnessed a lot of historical events in this country. When he was
telling to us those, I felt how people really cherished the church. The physical structure of the church is
really aesthetic and well ventilated. You would really want to attend masses there for it is very
comfortable inside the church. The priest there was very accommodating, he didn’t hesitate to tour us
around the church and tell stories and information beyond what’s in the internet. Many big names in
this country have been in that church and even San Miguel Corporation, which is the company I’ve
always looked up to, started there. It gave inspired me how notable the church was for so many people
affiliated with their success in life. They are really focused on the traditions that the Catholic Church has
been doing since it was built. Their feast day is the feast day of the archangels where they celebrate
through masses and processions, and even programs for the parishioners. I must say that in the Catholic
tradition, it is more systematic and solemn. There are general rules and norms that Catholic people do
as a way of serving God and their fellow people. We are encouraged to be more attentive on what we
do and that we must now forget to commemorate God’s presence even once in a while in our lives.
Loving one another as God loves us is always the key.

DAVID:

We went to San Miguel church and honestly I find it kind a creepy at first since we know that it is an old
church. But behind those ideas of mine, there were cool facts we've discovered. Like it was sometime
become a cathedral back then and the Marco got married there as well as the San Miguel brewery were
inspired by that church, because the brewery started at the back of the church and many more that we
haven't know yet. It was a cool church, you can see and feel the oldness by its ambiance and the
structure itself as well as the interior design. They have kind staffs most especially their parish priest that
we've talked to and unexpectedly tour us. It is recommendable to go to that church but we're not sure
about the mass schedule.

PAM:

Visiting a catholic church was a very nice experience because it was my first time visiting the
church of San Miguel Church. At the first look will first think that is creepy because also it’s my
first time to see a cemetery beside a church. But when I came inside of the church it looks
amazing you will first think that this church is very old based on the structure of the church, the
detailed of the design. The San Miguel church was built in the year 1603 and it was made of
stone. Because of earthquake the original was destroyed. The church was rebuilt in the year of
1913. When father talked to us about the history of the church I was very amaze of the history
of this church and we didn’t expect he will allowed us to come inside of their convent. He tours
us around of their place and they will be having a museum to show us the history of the church
of San Miguel Church. Former President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos in the
church of San Miguel they were married. The difference of Catholic to Non-Catholic, catholic is
very open to other people that have an interest knowing what is the history of the church they
are approachable. After that father told to us to study hard and be a good person to others.

TRACY:
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