San José Church Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

San José Church
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
U.S. National Historic Landmark District Contributing Property


Location	San Juan Antiguo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Built	1528
Architectural style	Gothic
Restored	2002, 2021
Part of	Old San Juan Historic District (ID72001553 & ID13000284)
Designated CP	October 10, 1972
Designated NHLDCP	February 27, 2013

The San José Church (in Spanish, Iglesia de San José) is a historic church in Old San Juan, the oldest part of Puerto Rico's capital city. It is one of the first major buildings ever constructed on the island.

This church is a very rare and special building. It's one of the oldest examples of 16th-century Spanish Gothic architecture in the entire Western Hemisphere. This style is known for its tall, pointed arches and detailed stone carvings.

In 2013, the church was listed as one of the most endangered historic places in the United States by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This helped bring attention to the need to repair and protect it.

A Church Through Centuries
- Famous People of San José
Saving a Historic Treasure
Gallery
See also

A Church Through Centuries

The story of the San José Church begins almost 500 years ago. It was built by the Dominican Order, a group of Catholic friars, as part of their monastery. Construction started in 1528 and continued for over 200 years, finally finishing in 1735.

Later, in 1858, a different religious group called the Jesuits took over the monastery and renamed the church to San José.

Famous People of San José

The church became the final resting place for some of Puerto Rico's most famous historical figures.

Juan Ponce de León: He was the first governor of Puerto Rico. His body was buried in a special chamber called a crypt in the church from 1559 until 1836. His remains were later moved to the nearby Cathedral of San Juan Bautista. You can still see his family's coat of arms near the main altar.
Juan Ponce de Leon II: The grandson of the famous governor is also buried in the church's crypt.
José Campeche: A famous Puerto Rican painter from the 1700s is also buried here.

Saving a Historic Treasure

Over the centuries, the old church began to fall into disrepair. In 2002, a major project began to restore it to its former glory.

In 1972, a valuable 15th-century painting called Our Lady of Bethlehem disappeared from the church. During the restoration work, workers made some amazing discoveries. They found painted murals on the walls that had been covered up for years. One mural showed the famous Battle of Lepanto from the 1500s.

The restoration effort got a big boost in 2004 when the World Monuments Fund listed the church on its Watch list of important sites that need saving. After many years of hard work, the beautiful restoration of the church was completed in March 2021.