More Hidalgo Missions: Tlahuelilpa, the Church

In our second post on Tlahuelilpa, we take a closer look at the church interior:

The narrow, single nave is covered by a fine beamed ceiling, supported by elaborate wooden brackets carved with reliefs of foliage and mythical birds—part eagle and part pelican.

The archway dividing the nave from the sanctuary displays the figures of Saints Peter and Paul, one on either side, carved in low relief.

St Peter

A painted frieze, predominantly red and blue and restored to excellent condition, runs around the church at the roofline, inset with medallions illustrating the Stations of the Cross.

Winged angels' heads entwined in foliage enliven the jambs, alfiz and low arch of the baptistry, located  beside the entry and beneath the raised open chapel. 

Lions' heads adorn the capitals and an old stone baptismal font stands inside, where fragmentary murals decorate the walls.

text © 2014 Richard D. Perry. photography by Patrice Schmitz

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