Lima - La Merced Iglesia de la Merced

The Iglesia de la Merced, built where the first Mass in Lima was celebrated, has a history of destruction and reconstruction. Originally built in 1534, La Merced was determined to be too small and a larger version was erected. It was then torn down and rebuilt in 1628. In 1687 the church was destroyed by an earthquake and again rebuilt. It was later damaged in the big quake of 1746 and gutted by a fire in 1773.

The Church of La Merced which stands today was completed in the late 1700s and has an ornate baroque colonial façade. Followers of Padre Urraca can be seen each day as they come to La Merced to honor this 17th Century priest.