Tucked away in the heart of the beautiful island of Cozumel is Iglesia de San Miguel, one of the oldest and most prominent of all the churches in this region.
The island is comprised of a predominantly Catholic populace who use this church as a place of weekly worship and prayer. However, the Iglesia be San Miguel is best known for its historic beginnings, which date back to 1518. Juan de Grijalva, who was the first Spanish settler on this island, which was hitherto dominated by the Mayas, had brought with him an exquisite ivory statue of St. Michael the Archangel when he first arrived. This statue, which was later found by farmers working in their fields, depicts the saint adorned in a gold crown and brandishing a sword.
Today, visitors to the island of Cozumel can view this statue at the altar of Iglesia de San Miguel, after which the church was named. In fact, the unearthing of the statue also happened to coincide with the Holy Day of San Miguel on the 29th of September, which was taken as a divine symbol, prompting the islanders to name the town in honor of San Miguel.
This church is frequented by natives from all over the island, and also functions as a meeting point. You can stop by at the Iglesia de San Miguel from 7 am to noon and 2 pm to 8 pm, Monday through Saturday. Sunday worship is scheduled from 7 am to 9 pm.
Irrespective of whether it is your first visit to the island or one of many more to follow, make sure to reserve a spot in your itinerary for this extraordinary church which is an apt representation of the spirit which permeates the island of Cozumel.
The Iglesia de San Miguel
Avenida Benito Juarez 180
Cozumel 77600 Mexico
