Templo de Jesús María facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Templo de Jesús María
The church's exterior in 2021
Location
Location	Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Location in Mexico

The Templo de Jesús María is a historic church located in the city of Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is known for its beautiful architecture and its important role in the city's history and traditions.

History of the Church

Early Beginnings

The story of this church begins with a group of religious women. They originally lived in a special house called a beaterio in the town of Compostela. At that time, Compostela was the capital of the region known as Nueva Galicia.

In 1692, the women decided to move to Guadalajara. This was a common trend, as Guadalajara was growing and becoming the new, more important capital city. Government offices and other important groups were also moving there.

Creating a New Convent

Around the same time, another group of religious women arrived in Guadalajara. A local bishop decided to help both groups join together. The first group of women had saved a lot of money, over 46,000 pesos, which was a large sum back then.

Using this money, they got official permission from the king of Spain to build a new convent. A convent is a place where religious women, called nuns, live and pray. The new convent was officially created on May 30, 1721, and was named Jesús María.

Architecture and Design

The Templo de Jesús María has many interesting architectural features, typical for convents built during that time.

What Does the Outside Look Like?

The front of the church, or façade, runs along the street. It has two matching doorways and a small open area in front called an atrium.

One of the most noticeable features is the bell tower. On a corner of the church, there is a special Baroque-style column with a statue of Saint Christopher.

The church is also decorated with unique stone carvings. You can see gargoyles, which are carved figures of animals that also work as water spouts to drain rain from the roof. The main entrances, or portals, have carvings related to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Inside the Church

Inside, the church has one long main hall, which is called a nave. There are also special areas for the choir, where singers would stand during services. Some of the church's most beautiful parts include its round window, called an oculus, and the detailed metal screen, or grille, that separates one of the choir areas.

A Stop on a Special Tour

Today, the Templo de Jesús María is part of a popular tradition in Guadalajara. During Semana Santa (the holy week before Easter), many people take part in the "visita a los siete templos," which means "visit to the seven churches."

This tour is a special religious journey where people visit seven different historic churches in the city. Besides the Templo de Jesús María, the tour includes:

• The Guadalajara Cathedral
• The Templo de la Merced
• The Basílica de San Felipe Neri
• The Templo de Santa Mónica
• The Templo de las Capuchinas
• The Templo de Santa Teresa de Jesús

See also

In Spanish: Templo de Jesús María para niños