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Architect:
Unknown
Style:
medieval European with predominant
English influence
Date of construction:
1901-1902
Location:
Victoria Street, corner Bertoly, num. 2
Building materials:
wood and masonry
General information:
The construction of this church responds to the
organization as religious group of the Baptist
Congregation in Puerto Rico by one of its’ main
founding fathers the venerable Dr. A.B. Rudd who
established this churches in Ponce and with its’
founding established the fundamental principles
of what today makes up this congregation. On
May 27, 1901, the land where the temple is
located on Victoria Street, corner Bertoly Street
was purchased. The cost of the temple amounted
to $8,150 and its construction was completed in
May 1902. The date of the first meeting of the
congregation was November 28, 1902; and more
than 500 attended.
This structure stands out as the first temple to be
conceived as one were the space is visualized as a
meeting area, sober and free of decorative
elements. The absence of religious figures
allegorical to the Baptist faith is interesting
compared to other more lavishly decorated
temples. The design of the Church and its interior
space responds to the Baptist intention of
achieving this most intimate communication with
God without external distractions, proof that there
are many possible spatial arrangements that
provide a peaceful setting for meditation.
The church had only one tower originally, the
second to the left was added later on.
Fachada original con una torre
Fachada con dos torre