History
Sail through the history of Chiloé churches since pre-Spanish times until our days.
XV and XVI centuries
XV and XVI centuries
The Huilliche people inhabits the Chiloé Province before the Spanish conquest of this territory.
Image: National Library of Chile Collection
c.1568
The Franciscan order founds the convent of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Castro.
XVII century
1608
The Jesuit arrive in the Chiloé Province looking to evangelize its inhabitants in accordance with the Third Council of Lima (1582-1583).
Image: Residence at Chiloé. Alonso de Ovalle, Historical relationship of Chile and the missions and ministries executed by the Society of Jesus.Roma: By Francisco Cavallo, 1646. National Library of Chile Collection.
c. 1608
The institution of “Deacons” is created, people chosen by the parish priest to administer sacraments and watch over cult and function of the temple during his absence.
Image: The tradition of Deacons in the Chilote culture. Information System for the Management of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
c.1660
The Jesuit order founds the College of Castro.
XVIII century
1767
The Spanish crown orders the expulsion of the Jesuit from America.
Image: Map made by Father Joseph García of the Society of Jesus in 1768 obtained from the observations by Chiloe’s Major Sergeant around 1744, and the observations by Father García himself in two voyages performed in his mission in search for gentle people in the years 1766 and 1767.Public Works Management, General Geography Inspection, 1924. National Library of Chile Collection.
c. 1770
The Franciscan order continues the task of evangelizing Chiloé, which they led during the following centuries.
Image: “Chapelle de St. François desservie par les moines Ytaliens del’ordre des franciscains. En haut Ancud,”1845. Volume 136, Various Fonts, Historical National Archive.
XIX century
1844
The Bishopric of Ancud is created, coming into operation the following year.
Image: Saint Charles Square in Chiloé. In: Claudio Gay, Chile's Political and Physical History Atlas.Paris: E. Thunot Printers, 1854. Volume I, Sheet N° 35, National Library of Chile Collection.
XX century
1951
The Saint Mary of Loreto Church of Achao (Iglesia Santa María de Loreto de Achao) is declared Historical Monument, becoming the first church in Chiloé to obtain this category of protection.
- Decree N° 5058 (1951)Declaring Saint Mary of Loreto Church of Achao (Iglesia Santa María de Loreto de Achao) Historical Monument
Image: Saint Mary of Loreto Church of Achao (Iglesia Santa María de Loreto de Achao). Photo Archive National Center for World Heritage Sites- National Service for Cultural Heritage.
1971
The churches of: Our Lady of Sorrows of Dalcahue (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores de Dalcahue), Saint Anthony of Vilupulli (Iglesia San Antonio de Vilupulli), Our Lady of the Rosary of Chonchi (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chonchi), Our Lady of Grace of Villa Quinchao (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Villa Quinchao), Saint Judas Thaddeus (Iglesia San Judas Tadeo), and Saint Mary of Rilán (Iglesia Santa María de Rilán), are declared Historical Monuments.
- Decree N° 1750 (1971)Declaring Historical Monument the churches: Saint Judas Thaddeus (Iglesia San Judas Tadeo), Saint Mary of Rilán (Iglesia Santa María de Rilán), Our Lady of Sorrows of Dalcahue (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores de Dalcahue), Saint Anthony of Vilupulli (Iglesia San Antonio de Vilupulli), Our Lady of the Rosary of Chonchi (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chonchi), and Our Lady of Grace of Villa Quinchao (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Villa Quinchao).
1977
Logging of raw larch trees is prohibited. This measure affected the access to this resource, which provides the “texture” characteristic of churches and Chilote constructions, diminishing and modifying its use, thus changing cladding and incorporating standing seam metal or siding PVC siding.
Image: Chapel of Saint Narcissus of Huito. Inventory of Churches belonging to Chilote School of Religious Architecture in Wood
1979
The Saint Francis Church of Castro (Iglesia San Francisco de Castro) is declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 1875 (1979)Declaring Saint Francis Church of Castro (Iglesia San Francisco de Castro) Historical Monument.
1984
The Our Lady of Grace Church of Nercón (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón) is declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 422 (1984)Declaring Our Lady of Grace Church of Nercón (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón) Historical Monument.
Image: Our Lady of Grace Church of Nercón (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón). Photo Archive National Center for World Heritage Sites- National Service for Cultural Heritage.
1993
The Friends of the Churches of Chiloé Foundation is created, institution devoted to the conservation of these buildings.
The Parish of Our Lady of Candelaria of Carelmapu (Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Carelmapu) is declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 78 (1993)Declaring Parish of Our Lady of Candelaria of Carelmapu (Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Carelmapu) Historical Monument.
Image: Parish of Our Lady of Candelaria of Carelmapu (Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria de Carelmapu). Inventory of Churches belonging to Chilote School of Religious Architecture in Wood
1999
The churches of: Saint John the Baptist of San Juan (Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de San Juan), Our Lady of the Patronage of Tenaún (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Tenaún), Saint Anthony of Colo (Iglesia San Antonio de Colo), Jesus Nazarene of Aldachildo (Iglesia Jesús Nazareno de Aldachildo), Nativity of Mary of Ichuac (Iglesia Natividad de María de Ichuac), and James the Apostle of Detif (Iglesia Santiago Apostol de Detif), are declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 222 (1999): Declaring the following temples Historical Monuments: Saint John the Baptist Church of San Juan (Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de San Juan), Our Lady of the Patronage Church of Tenaún (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Tenaún), Saint Anthony Church of Colo (Iglesia San Antonio de Colo), Jesus Nazarene Church of Aldachildo (Iglesia Jesús Nazareno de Aldachildo), Nativity of Mary Church of Ichuac (Iglesia Natividad de María de Ichuac), and James the Apostle Church of Detif (Iglesia Santiago Apostol de Detif).
XXI century
2000
Centenario Street, including the Chapel of Chonchi, is declared Typical Zone. - Decree N° 153 (2000)Declaring Centenario Street, including Our Lady of the Rosary Church of Chonchi (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chonchi), Typical Zone.
Image: Area surrounding Our Lady of the Rosary Church of Chonchi (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chonchi). Photo Archive National Center for World Heritage Sites- National Service for Cultural Heritage
The churches of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chelín (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chelín) and Jesus Nazarene of Caguach (Iglesia Jesus Nazareno de Caguach) are declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 508 (2000)Declaring Our Lady of the Rosary of Chelín (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chelín), and Jesus Nazarene of Caguach (Iglesia Jesus Nazareno de Caguach) churches Historical Monument.
Sixteen churches from Chiloé are included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
Images: World Heritage Site Churches. Photo Archive National Center for World Heritage Sites- National Service for Cultural Heritage / Inventory of Churches belonging to Chilote School of Religious Architecture in Wood / National Monuments Council.
2004
Town of Tenaún, including Our Lady of the Patronage Church of Tenaún (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Tenaún), is declared Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 944 (2004)Declaring Town of Tenaún, including Our Lady of the Patronage Church of Tenaún (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Tenaún), Typical Zone.
2013
The Brotherhood of Deacons of Saint John the Baptist of the Calbuco Parish is recognized as Living Human Treasure of Chile.
Video: Cofradía de Fiscales San Juan Bautista de Calbuco
The areas surrounding Historical Monuments Churches of Saint Anthony of Colo (Iglesia San Antonio de Colo) and Saint John the Baptist of San Juan (Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de San Juan), and Villa Quinchao (surrounding the Church of Quinchao) are declared Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 609 (2013)Declaring area surrounding Saint Anthony Church of Colo (Iglesia San Antonio de Colo) Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 603 (2013)Declaring area surrounding Saint John the Baptist Church of San Juan (Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de San Juan) Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 268 (2013)Declaring Villa Quinchao Typical Zone (area surrounding Our Lady of Grace Church of Villa Quinchao / Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Villa Quinchao).
2014
The Riverside Carpenters of Chilote Boats are recognized as Living Human Treasure of Chile.
Video: Carpinteros de ribera de lanchas chilotas
The area surrounding Historical Monument Our Lady of Grace of Nercón (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón) is declared Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 72 (2014)Declaring area surrounding Our Lady of Grace Church of Nercón (Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón) Typical Zone.
2015
Areas surrounding Historical Monuments James the Apostle Church of Detif (Iglesia Santiago Apostol de Detif) and Nativity of Mary Church of Ichuac (Iglesia Natividad de María de Ichuac) are declared Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 316 (2015)Declaring area Surrounding Historical Monument James the Apostle Church of Detif (Iglesia Santiago Apostol de Detif) Typical Zone.
- Decree N° 315 (2015)Declaring area surrounding Historical Monument Nativity of Mary Church of Ichuac (Iglesia Natividad de María de Ichuac) Typical Zone.
2016
Areas surrounding Historical Monuments Our Lady of the Rosary Church of Chelín (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chelín) and Saint Anthony Church of Vilupulli (Iglesia San Antonio de Vilupulli) are declared Typical Zone.
Images: Areas surrounding Our Lady of the Rosary Church of Chelín (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chelín), and Saint Anthony Church of Vilupulli (Iglesia San Antonio de Vilupulli). Photo Archive National Center for World Heritage Sites- National Service for Cultural Heritage
2017
Saint Nicholas Tolentino Church (Iglesia San Nicolás Tolentino) is declared Historical Monument.
- Decree N° 172 (2017)Declaring Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Church (Iglesia San Nicolás Tolentino) Historical Monument.
Riverside Carpentry, traditional in the Los Lagos Region, as well as Deacons, traditional of the Chilote culture, enter the Registry of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Images: Riverside Carpentry of Chilote Boats. Information System for the Management of Intangible Cultural Heritage / Brotherhood of Deacons Saint John the Baptist of the Calbuco Parish. Information System for the Management of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2019
Elaboration of the first Public Inventory of churches belonging to the Chilote School of Religious Architecture in Wood is completed.
- Study of Chilote SchoolInventory of Churches of the Chiloé Archipelago belonging to the Chilote School of Religious Architecture in Wood (Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage 2019)
The Saint Francis Church of Ancud (Iglesia San Francisco de Ancud) is declared Historical Monument.
2020
Twentieth anniversary celebration of the inclusion of 16 Chiloé churches in the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
Video: Teaser 20 años de las Iglesias de Chiloé como Sitio Patrimonio Mundial
