The Church of Vilupulli (Spanish: Iglesia de Vilupulli) is a Catholic church located in the town of Vilupulli, commune of Chonchi, on the Chiloé Archipelago, Los Lagos Region, southern Chile.
The Church of Vilupulli was declared a National Monument of Chile in 1971[1] and is one of the 16 Churches of Chiloé that were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites on 30 November 2000.[2]
Likely built at the beginning of the 20th century, the patron saint of the church of Vilupulli is St Anthony – also the patron saint of the Church of Colo – whose feast day is celebrated on June 13.[3]
This church belongs to the parish of San Carlos, Chonchi, one of the 24 parishes that form the Diocese of Ancud.[4]
History
The exact date of the church's construction is unknown. According to Father Gabriel Guarda, at least one part of it is thought to date from the 18th century. According to other sources, the church was built through community cooperation starting in the 20th century.[5]
In 1940, the church's bell was added, requiring a community effort to install.[6]
Reportedly, Charles Darwin may have visited the church in 1843.[6]
Description
The church is 12 m x 28 m in size. Its tower is 18 m high.[5]
Gallery
References
- 1.Monumentos.cl. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- 2.World Heritage Committee Inscribes 61 New Sites on World Heritage List. whc.unesco.org. November 30, 2000. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- 3.Iglesias Tradicionales de Chiloé. Monumentos.cl. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
- 4.Diócesis de San Carlos de Ancud. Iglesia.cl. In Spanish. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- 5.[5.2]"Iglesia de San Antonio de Vilupulli". Iglesias Chiloé - Patrimonio Mundial. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
- 6.[6.2]"PTI | Iglesia San Antonio de Padua de Vilupulli". www.rutaiglesiaschiloe.cl. Retrieved 2026-05-02.