Iglesia De Cahuasqui

STOP 5: CONVENTILLE OF FAITH Cahuasquí according to bibliographic evidence had a large aboriginal population, this fertile valley, walled by deep chasms, was a strategic place to live and fight, hence the Franciscans in the year 1544 built the first chapel and cemetery in the sector de las Animas, nowadays known as Las Almas (there are no vestiges in the place), to evangelize this territory but in the year of 1550, these brave warriors did not allow them to fulfill their objective, unloading their discontent, killing nine men and eating a priest. Subsequently, the Mercedarian order manages to convince and subdue the Caguasqui and initiate Catholic indoctrination, for this they define building the church on the site known as "El Conventillo de la Merced" (current location of the church), giving this construction the category oldest in the San Miguel de Urcuquí canton. Evangelization in this area extended to the Quilca (litas) and Lachas (Buenos Aires) people, at that time, the Mercedarian priests stayed in Cahuasquí to continue their route through Mira to Tulcán and guarantee the mandate of the Catholic Church to teach the Christian doctrine. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, this town had its organization, its way of life, its goldsmiths and its agriculture, which is why certain archaeological remains have been found that rest in the private collections of some Cahuasquiren families. The identity and cultural wealth of the Caguasqui people are buried. The earthquake of 1868 affected all the buildings in the province of Imbabura, the church of Cahuasquí according to accounts by the elders Julio Barahona and Rafael Montalvo, collected in the writings of Pablo Morales, a native of this town, the church is rebuilt after the earthquake with solid and well worked foundations. For 1903 to 1920 it is requested to rebuild the facade, change the roof with queen scissors and increase from 10 to 12 meters in length towards the front of the current church due to deterioration and the need for a larger temple, because it received the parishioners from all the neighboring hamlets; They continue the work in the year of 1919 as shown in the central stone that adorns the facade. The vigorous work of the Cahuasquireños with mingas and economic donations allowed current generations to enjoy such a valuable church equipped with the largest number of wooden carved altars, sculptures, images and religious articles. On the main altar rest the images of the Risen Jesus, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint Marianita, The Virgin of the Candelaria, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist patron of the parish, a beloved disciple of Jesus who from the beginning of this parish ecclesiastical transmits love and wisdom. The cultural identity of Cahuasquí is unique with a great heritage value when knowing its origins, demonstrating the heritage of the Caguasqui people and the fusion with the Spanish conquest that is reflected in colonial architecture, customs and traditions, promoting religious tourism as a different alternative. of knowledge, recreation and devotion.

Nice church

Bonita e histórica..

It is excellent thank you very much