colonial church

amg14

I was lucky enough to be there on Sunday, what a treat to watch the people come in their Sunday best. The men wear white pants with vertical purple stripes that come right below their knees. These pants (shorts) are beautifully embrodiered at the bottom. At their waist they wear a fringed sash. I sat for a long time watching the culture and listening to the church music. It was so beautiful, the hymns were all happy and accompanied with accordian and marimba.

11KarenS

While visiting Santiago Atitlan we were taken to visit the Colonial Church. They pay tribute to an American priest who came to work with them and was murdered there. Along both sides of the church you can see wooden carvings of saints dressed in local fabric tunics made by the local women. They also show the the struggles, and the integration of Catholicism and the local Mayans.

PrawetJ

The Colonial Church or sometime it is called "Iglesia Parroquial Santiago Apóstol is situated on top of the hill at the heart of the city with a nice size plaza and is next to the city market. The visit to the church should be combined with the strolling of the market if you are an independent traveler. If you bought the lake Atitlan tour package with the stop at Santiago, it will include this place automatically and with the tour guide. In addition to the details story of sets of saints along the wall of the church, be prepared to listen to details of the church developments, the struggles, and the integration of Catholicism and the local Mayans. This is a must visit for travelers who are interested in religious development. Suggest to read about it before visit the place.

johnfred4

Light wood pews enhance this light church at the top of a sloping square. Tastefully decorated for Christmas. Tributes to an American priest and local people who died during revolutionary times.

MeuterMedia

Walk from pier up the hill, turn left towards plaza, past plaza on upper street. School adjacent. Don't enter if mass is in progress. Recommended if you come to visit. Also Market has several levels. Outside mayan venders.Recommended in combination with market. MeuterMedia

PeterSilvainMooij

Wonderfull church at one of the lake villages,This one separates with the decoration of lots of textile dressed religious statues.Very interesting place to visit

JoanMarietta_GA

This was a nice retreat from the bustle of the street. It was a treat to see all the old ties and scarves dressing the statues, but I would have liked to see the woodwork of the statues themselves. Everything was hidden.

Kawm2003

Visited this ancient church whilst enjoying a day trip of Lake Atitlan, San Pedro La Laguna and this town Santiago Atitlan. The church pays tribute to an American priest and the numerous locals who were murdered by their own country's army. Each side of the church is lined with various saints all ornately clothed, our group was advised that their costumes are often changed.What is different about this church is the blending of Mayan and Catholic faiths. At the altar end of the church, a huge wooden carving depicts the different gods from Mayan religion. It is quite a unique experience.

bedlammanor

I think people of all faiths appreciate a sacred place. This was my 2nd visit to this church and it was just as fascinating as before. I was fortunate to go during Holy Week this year and you will find the saints covered in purple cloth in most of the churches at this time. The andas ("floats" carried in the processions) were being prepared. On my first trip I was able to see the locals in a side chapel praying the rosary while on their knees, nothing special with the exception that they were praying in Ki'che (the local dialect) and that was kind of cool for me. Keep in mind this is an active church not a museum, be respectful. How would you feel if you were at church and a group of Japanese tourists came in all speaking Japanese and taking picture during your service?

DJGSant

This church dates back to 1472. You should not miss it. They have unusual carvings and statues. Don't walk in wearing a bathing suit and eating an ice cream cone.

PatrickT798

I visited this church during my trip to Guatemala. It is a wonderful example of Spanish design made in the centuries since they came to Central America. The statues and other artifacts are very tasteful and should be seen by all even though they are not religious. Beware of Maximon the Mayan god to who is the competition. At lent both christian and pagan gods are honored by their processions.

jeffepops

A very moving tribute to the (U.S. born) Priest who was brutally assassinated by the Guatemalan Army and the town's citizens who were also slaughtered, raped and tortured at the behest of a dictatorship that was supported -- unfortunately -- by the UNited States.

mkl68

A church that played important role during civil war. Centrally located. Saints are dressed up I clothing. Outside the church is great people watching.

wwtraveler_10

Statues of saints dressed in colorful shirts and ties. Shamans doing their traditional Mayan ceremonies at a side alter. Wooden carvings on the alter telling both the Mayan and Christian biblical stories. Don't miss in Santiago! Go see Machiman too!

3DQ

This church, established in 1541, has seen much. In particular, it is the site of the murder/martyrdom of Father Stan Rosen who was killed by the death squads during the civil war of the 1980s and early 1990s. Read Henry Nouwen's Love In a Fearful Land before traveling to Santiago Atitlan to understand the region's history that is no longer visible on the region's surface. Aside from that, the statues in the church are dressed each year by local women. They are almost caricatures. Judas is depicted as very short, chained to a treasure box and looking miserable. People pray aloud. Sound is an important element in the church.