Erected as the diocese of Manila on February 6, 1579. Elevated to the archdiocese of Manila on August 14, 1595. Suffragan sees:
The following religious orders were represented in the diocese at an early date: Augustinians (1565), Franciscans (1577), Jesuits (1581), Dominicans (1587), and Recollect Fathers (1600). Domingo de Salazar (died 1594) was the first bishop, his successors including Miguel de Benavides (1603-1605), founder of the University of Santo Tomas at Manila, Pedro Payo (1876-1889), who built the cathedral, Jeremiah Harty, first American archbishop there (1903-1916).