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Mystic
Ponce
The beginning of Lent 2017 marked the birth of the initiative Mystic Ponce, a walking tour that visits
eight historical churches located in the center of town. This publication is a guide that enables anyone
to visit the temples, learn a little of each one and of their role in the story of Ponce. The route begins in
the Santa María Reina Church. The initiative had the full support of Dean Luis V. Badillo, it is part of the
educational and cultural program he originated directed at the community in general. This event was
organized by the Construction Technologies and Sustainability Experimental Unit of the School of
Architecture of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, in Ponce. The students of the ARUS 101
class were in-charge of the research of each temple which included interviews done to historians and
ministers and priests of the churches and who later presented their findings to the attendees. We also
counted with the active participation of our Dean, an additional 50 students served as guides, we had
the support of all the School’s student associations, of professors and administrative personnel of our
School, historians from some of the churches visited as well as historians from the Ponce Historical
Archives. Participating students were able to register AXP experience hours for the time dedicated.
The eight churches that are visited are all very different in style, size and period, they belong to various
denominations and all have a history and interesting story to tell. The diversity of immigrants and
religious orders that made Ponce their home is reflected in this exquisite group of buildings, some the
work of well-known architects such as: Francisco Luis Porrata Doria, Carl B. Brunner, Manuel
Domenech, Juan Bértoli and Antonín Nechodoma among other.
(
For logistical reasons we left out of the tour three churches, all quite interesting: La Medalla de la
Milagrosa at the heart of Ponce, and in the La Playa Sector of Ponce; La Iglesia del Carmen and the
Methodist Church, all worthy of a visit.
)
We designed a tour that would take us back in time and tell a little of the history of Ponce through the
structures that were and still are important architectural and religious landmarks. Unique structures
that defined a city, times and proof that cities are enriched by the cultural diversity that ethnic groups
bring.
We trust that this publication entices those that have the opportunity to examine it to do the tour, and
perspective and thus appreciate the value of these religious structures that dot the urban fabric of
Ponce.
Pilarín Ferrer Viscasillas
, CAAPPR, AIA
Author and Event Coordinator