Church of San Juan Bautista

About

Completed around 1887, the Church of San Juan Bautista is one of around 70 churches built in Chiloe as part of a 200-year project to convert the island, and one of 16 that have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for best representing this harmonious application of native craftsmanship. Each of these were built by locals in a distinctive style utilizing their shipbuilding skills and native materials. Most impressively, the churches were built without any metal nails. With its raw shingled sides and plain plank facade, the Church of San Juan Bautista is decidedly rustic, looking almost more like a barn than a church, especially with the fishing boats that are often banked behind it. Step inside, and you’ll see this is a humble house of god, with white paint being the bulk of the ornamentation. Though a hanging boat near the altar swings as a reminder of who built the church and the community it serves.