The Templo de San Francisco [English: Church(or Temple) of St Francis] is one of the main Catholic churches in the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Chihuahua, Chihuahua

The city of Chihuahua is the state capital of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It has a population of about 825,327. The predominant activity is industry, including domestic heavy, light industries, consumer goods production, and to a smaller extent maquiladoras.-History:It has been said that the...

, Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

. 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. 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

Dominican Order

The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...

. 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 around the year of 1715 on a plan that called for a latin cross with a dome over the crossing (the sanctuary is essentially unchanged since completion in the mid-18th century); 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

Father of the Nation

Father of the Nation is an honorific title given to a man considered the driving force behind the establishment of their country, state or 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

Mexico City

Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...

. 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.