Church of La Compañía, Quito
The Church and Convent of San Ignacio de Loyola de la Compañía de Jesús de Quito, also known in the Ecuadorian people simply as La Compañía, is a Catholic clerical complex located on the corner formed by calles García Moreno and Sucre, in the Historic Center of the city of Quito, capital of Ecuador. The façade of its main temple is entirely carved in volcanic stone. Over time, this church has also been called: "Temple of Solomon of South America". Father Bernardo Recio, a traveling Jesuit, called it "Golden Ember".
| Church of the Society of Jesus Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (la Compañía) (in Spanish) | |
|---|---|
Overview of the interior from the entrance. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Location | |
| Location | Quito, Ecuador |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Church |
| Style | Quitoan Colonial Baroque |
| Groundbreaking | 1605 |
| Completed | 1765 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | South |
| Materials | Volcanic gray stone |
| Website | |
| ficj.org.ec | |
The complex includes the Residencia San Ignacio, "Mother House" of the Jesuits in Ecuador. During colonial times, this "Jesuit block" housed the Seminario San Luis, the Colegio Máximo, the University of San Gregorio Magno and the Mainas Missions Office. Since 1862, the Colegio San Gabriel functioned on the block.
The church, and its rich internal ornamentation, completely covered with gold sheets, is one of the main tourist attractions in the city and an invaluable heritage, both artistic and economic, for the country. It was visited by Pope John Paul II, who presided over a mass in the church on January 30, 1985, within the framework of his three-day visit to Ecuador. It was also visited by Pope Francis on July 7, 2015, who prayed there before the image of Our Lady of Sorrows.