Iglesia de la Concepción (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of the Immaculate Conception |
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Iglesia de la Concepción
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna |
| Province | Archdiocese of Seville |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish |
| Location | |
| Location | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | church |
| Architectural style | Colonial of the Canary Islands |
| Completed | 1500 |
| Direction of façade | Northwest |
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a beautiful Catholic church in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. This city is on the Canary Islands. It's special because it's the only church in the Canary Islands with five main sections, called naves.
This church was built a long time ago. It stands where the first small chapel was built by the Spanish explorers when they first arrived. This church is very important for the city. People sometimes call it the "Cathedral of Santa Cruz." But it's not actually a cathedral. The real cathedral for Tenerife is the Cathedral of La Laguna.
Contents
History of the Church
Building the First Church
Work on this church started in the year 1500. A priest named Father Juan Guerra began the project. It was one of the very first churches built on the island of Tenerife. The Church of the Conception was built close to where the first Christian mass was held on the island. This happened right after the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was founded.
Dedication and Important Items
The Church of the Conception is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Inside the church, you can find several important items. There is a statue of St. James, who is the patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The church also holds a special cross. This cross is very important because it was part of the founding of the city. Another interesting item is a large organ. It was brought all the way from London in 1862.
There is also a special item called a relic of St. Clement I. He was a Pope and a Martyr. This relic was given to the church by Mr. Sidotti, who was the Patriarch of Antioch. People in the city have always respected this relic very much.
Our Lady of Consolation
The church also has a small, old statue from the 1400s. It is a Gothic image of Our Lady of Consolation. She was the historical patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This statue is very important for history. It is the same one that Alonso Fernández de Lugo placed in a small chapel. She was the first Virgin Mary statue to be honored in Santa Cruz. She was also one of the first important religious images on Tenerife.
Church Design and Style
The Church of the Conception has a beautiful architectural style. It combines Baroque and Tuscan designs. The most famous part of the church is its tall bell tower. It stands out and is a symbol of the church. Because of its importance and beauty, the Church of the Conception has been named a site of cultural interest. This means it is a protected historical place.
Gallery
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Interior of the church
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Exterior
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High altar
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St. James, patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
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Holy Cross used during the Castilian conquest
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Altar of the Souls of Purgatory
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Original image of the Our Lady of Consolation, the historic patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia matriz de la Concepción (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) para niños
