Church San Blas de Illescas of Coamo
Encyclopedia
Church San Blas de Illescas of Coamo is a Catholic
parish church
located on the center plaza of Coamo, Puerto Rico
. Construction on the church began in 1661; it has since been judged one of the most important works of religious architecture in Puerto Rico. The church is separated from the open plaza
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.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
located on the center plaza of Coamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the southern region, north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas. Coamo is spread over 10 wards and Coamo Pueblo...
. Construction on the church began in 1661; it has since been judged one of the most important works of religious architecture in Puerto Rico. The church is separated from the open plaza
Plaza
Plaza is a Spanish word related to "field" which describes an open urban public space, such as a city square. All through Spanish America, the plaza mayor of each center of administration held three closely related institutions: the cathedral, the cabildo or administrative center, which might be...
below by a series of ceremonial steps and a delicate cast iron balustrade. The delicately curved Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
facade reflects a major reconstruction completed in 1784. A two-level bell-gable
Bell-gable
The bell gable is an architectural element crowning at the upper end of the wall of church buildings, usually in lieu of a church tower. It consists of a gable end in stone, with small hollow semi-circular arches where the church bells are placed...
with open arches and bells is prominently featured in the facade. The parish of San Blas
Saint Blaise
Saint Blaise was a physician, and bishop of Sebastea . According to his Acta Sanctorum, he was martyred by being beaten, attacked with iron carding combs, and beheaded...
of Coamo is one of the oldest on the island.