Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi (Archdiocese of Panamá)
| Parroquia San Francisco de Asís (Casco Antiguo) | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of Panamá |
| Deanery: | |
| Address: | Casco Antiguo, Avenida B, Panamá |
| Coordinates: | 8.9533, -79.5333 |
| City: | Panamá |
| Subdivision: | Panamá |
| Country: | Panama |
| County: | |
| Website: | No website specified |
| Founded: | 1913 |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | , |
Parroquia San Francisco de Asís (Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of Panamá, located in the Casco Antiguo (also known as Casco Viejo) historic district of Panamá City, Panamá. Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the thirteenth-century founder of the Franciscan Order, venerated for his embrace of poverty, love of creation, and peace—the parish church faces Plaza Bolívar and is a prominent heritage site in the UNESCO-listed historic center.
The church building dates to the colonial period, with construction attributed to the seventeenth century following the destruction of the original Panamá Viejo in 1671. Elevated to parish status in 1913, it has served the community in the restored Casco Antiguo. As of January 3, 2026, the parish continues regular liturgical celebrations and contributes to the cultural preservation of the historic district.
The parish reflects Franciscan spirituality through its historic presence in the old city.
History
The church of San Francisco de Asís in Casco Antiguo traces its origins to the colonial resettlement after the 1671 pirate attack on Panamá Viejo. The Franciscan convent and church were rebuilt in the new city grid, with the current structure largely from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.[1]
The church was elevated to parish status in 1913.[2]
Protected as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Casco Antiguo, the church has undergone restorations to preserve its colonial features.
Special features
- Location facing Plaza Bolívar in the UNESCO-listed Casco Antiguo historic district
- Historic Franciscan presence contributing to Panamá's colonial religious heritage
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.
Architecture
The church exemplifies seventeenth- and eighteenth-century colonial architecture, with a prominent façade and tower characteristic of Franciscan churches in the region.
It forms part of the monumental ensemble of Casco Antiguo, protected by UNESCO.
Art and devotional features
The interior includes colonial altarpieces and imagery focused on Saint Francis of Assisi.
Specific details on particular artworks or sculptures are limited in publicly available sources.
Related parishes
References
- ↑ "Igreja de São Francisco de Assis (Cidade do Panamá)". Wikipédia (Portuguese). https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igreja_de_S%C3%A3o_Francisco_de_Assis_(Cidade_do_Panam%C3%A1).
- ↑ "Parroquias". Arquidiócesis de Panamá. https://arquidiocesispanama.org/parroquias/.