Church of Santa Cruz was built by Jesuit monks in 1608 as a parish church for the Chinese immigrants in Manila, many of which have adopted the Christian faith. When the Jesuits were expelled from the Philippines, the church became the property of a Dominican monk. The church was almost twice destroyed by a powerful earthquake and seriously injured during the famous Battle of Manila in February 1945, which marked the end of almost three years of Japanese occupation of the city.

When in 1571 was declared the capital of Manila Philippine archipelago, it has become transformed into the likeness of a medieval European town with churches, palaces and town hall built in the style of the Spanish Baroque. The current building of the Church of Santa Cruz, renovated in 1957, restored in its original form. However, it is possible to see traces of the tower is typical of Asian architecture. The altar of the church at first glance seems a little understated, but his lighting design perfectly.

Church of Santa Cruz is located on the Plaza Lacson (formerly Gojty Area), near the famous Fontana Karredo, built in 1882 in honor of "the greatest benefactor of the Philippines' Francisco Karredo who donated 10 thousand pesos for the construction of the first water supply system in Manila.