San Francisco Temple

The San Francisco Church is one of the main Catholic churches in the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. It is now recognized as one of the most valuable buildings in the city as one of the few still-existing colonial monuments in the city centre.

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 white colours in accord with the Franciscan policy of austerity.

History

It was one of the first churches in Chihuahua City. Construction was begun around the year of 1715 and 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 Country', was intombed in one of the chapels 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.

In 2004 the Church of San Francisco was first illuminated for the celebrations of the independence of Mexico, 16 September, and remains an active Catholic parish.