Quetzaltenango, Guatemala — Central America

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 30, 2016

1. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Iglesia del Espíritu Santo (Catedral)El templo original del Espíritu Santo, hoy Catedral, fue el segundo construido en el país (en 1532) Ordenada por el Obispo Francisco Marroquín. La fachada colonial estilo barroco que queda hoy, no es del templo original. El templo de esta fachada se construyó a finales del siglo XVII. De esa época es el convento de los frailes franciscanos que se encontraba a su lado.

El convento y templo fueron demolidos entre finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, quedando en pie solamente la capilla de la Viren del Rosario, la fachada y un campanario. En marzo de 1905 el cura párroco de la iglesia, pide que se suspenda la demolición del campanario, porque si se lleva a efecto “…será difícil encontrar un lugar adecuado para colocar las campanas.” El edificio de la actual catedral, estilo neoclásico, se construyó en el siglo XX. Fue diseñada por el Arq. Alberto Porta.

Pie de dibujos:
Fotografía de mediados del siglo XIX. Al fondo la iglesia del Espíritu Santo, al frente el Portal de las Carnicerías y la Torre del Relox.

En esta fotografía

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de los años 30, se puede observar que aún existía la fachada del convento franciscano (a la derecha de la iglesia) La nueva catedral estaba en construcción.

English:Cathedral of the Holy SpiritThe original Espíritu Santo church, now a cathedral, was the second church built in Guatemala (1532) by order of Monsignor Francisco Marroquín. The baroque-style colonial façade that remains today, built at the end of the seventeenth century, was not part of the original structure. The Franciscan convent that was located adjacent to this building was from the same period.

The convent and church were demolished sometime between the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century. Only the church façade, bell tower, and Virgen del Rosario chapel were left standing. In March 1905, the parish priest intervened to halt the demolition of the bell tower, saying that “…it would be difficult to find an appropriate location for the bells.” The neoclassical structure of the present-day cathedral, designed by the architect Alberto Porta, was built in the 1900s.

Captions:
Espíritu Santo church in the background, and the Portal de las Carnicerías and Torre del Relox in the foreground, mid-1800s.

In this photograph, the façade of the Franciscan convent was still standing (to the right of the

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 30, 2016

2. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Marker

The marker can be seen in this view above the roof of the black vehicle.

church), and the present-day cathedral was under construction 1930s.

Erected by Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo, Cooperación Española y otras organizaciones.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1905.

Location. 14° 50.019′ N, 91° 31.094′ W. Marker is in Quetzaltenango. Marker is on 11a Avenida just north of 7a Calle, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Quetzaltenango 09001, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cultural Center (within shouting distance of this marker); The Quetzaltenango City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Death of Remigio Mérida (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); La Exposición Artesanal e Industrial (about 120 meters away); Site of the Discovery of the Virgin of Sorrows (about 120 meters away); Juan José Ortega (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Rafael Landívar University (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The German School of Guatemala (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quetzaltenango.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 30, 2016

3. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

An interior view of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

4. An interior view of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, December 26, 2018

5. Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 391 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4, 5. submitted on January 15, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.