San Francisco Temple
| San Francisco Temple | |
|---|---|
| |
El Templo de San Francisco | |
 | |
San Francisco Temple | |
| 28°38′28″N 106°04′20″W / 28.64111°N 106.07222°W | |
| Location | 15 Calle Libertad, Chihuahua |
| Country | Mexico |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Churchmanship | Dominicans |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Founder | Franciscans |
| Dedication | Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Spanish Colonial |
| Groundbreaking | 1717 |
| Completed | 1789 |
The San Francisco Temple (Spanish: Templo de San Francisco), also known as the Church of Saint Francis and the Church of San Francisco, is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Chihuahua, in Chihuahua, Mexico.[1] It is recognized as one of the most valuable buildings in the city as one of the few still-existing colonial monuments in the city centre. It is located at 15 Calle Libertad.
Even though it is named for St Francis of Assisi (because a previous name of the city of Chihuahua was San Francisco El Cuellar and because it was built and occupied first by the Franciscans), it is now maintained and supported by the Dominicans. Its architecture is typical of Franciscan missions, very simple and serene, and always painted in tones of white in accordance with the Franciscan policy of austerity.
History
This building was one of the first churches built in Chihuahua City. Construction began in 1717[1] on a plan that called for a latin cross with a dome over the crossing (the sanctuary is essentially unchanged since completion in 1789);[1] it also served as the first junior school for ladies in Chihuahua. In 1811 the beheaded body of Fr Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, considered the 'Father of the Nation', was intombed in the West Chapel of the temple after his execution by the Spanish; after the independence of Mexico, it was taken to Mexico City. A marker commemorates the original burial site.
On September 16, 2004, the Church of San Francisco was first illuminated for the celebrations of the anniversary of the Independence of Mexico.
Gallery
The nave
The high altar
Churrigueresque west transept altar
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe
West chapel altarpiece
The church fully illuminated at night, 2004
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 134.
External links
Media related to San Francisco Temple, Chihuahua at Wikimedia Commons
- 18th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Mexico
- Chihuahua City
- Buildings and structures in Chihuahua (state)
- Landmarks in Chihuahua (state)
- National Monuments of Mexico
- Roman Catholic churches completed in 1789
- 1789 establishments in New Spain
- 18th-century architecture in Mexico
- Spanish colonial architecture in Mexico
- Church buildings with domes in Mexico
- Tourist attractions in Chihuahua (state)
- Religion in Chihuahua (state)