The Iglesia San Blas de Illescas ( en, Church of Saint Blaise of Illescas) is a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...

located on the center plaza of

Coamo, Puerto Rico Coamo (, ) is a town and municipality founded in 1579 in the south-central region of Puerto Rico, located north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas. Coamo i ...

. Construction on the church began in 1661; it has since been judged "one of the most important works of religious architecture in Puerto Rico".Church of San Blas de Illescas of Coamo
/ref> The church is separated from the open

plaza A town square (or square, plaza, public square, city square, urban square, or ''piazza'') is an open public space, commonly found in the heart of a traditional town but not necessarily a true geometric square, used for community gatherings. ...

below by a series of ceremonial steps and a delicate cast iron balustrade. The delicately curved Baroque facade reflects a major reconstruction completed in 1784. A two-level bell-gable with open arches and bells is prominently featured in the facade. The parish of San Blas of Coamo is one of the oldest on the island. with

References

Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico 1661 establishments in Puerto Rico Spanish Colonial architecture in Puerto Rico Coamo, Puerto Rico {{PuertoRico-church-stub

See also

References