Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi of La Caleta (Archdiocese of Panamá)

Parroquia San Francisco de Asís de La Caleta
File:Iglesia de San Francisco de la Caleta Panamá.jpg
Dedication:	Saint Francis of Assisi
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Archdiocese of Panamá
Deanery:	Vicaría de Cristo Rey
Address:	Coco del Mar, Calle 79 Este, San Francisco, Panamá
Coordinates:	8.9500, -79.5333
City:	Panamá City
Subdivision:	Panamá Province
Country:	Panama
County:
Website:	https://sfcaleta.com/
Founded:
School:	Yes
Email:

Saint Francis of Assisi Church (Archdiocese of Panamá, Panamá City) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of Panamá, located in the Coco del Mar area of the San Francisco neighborhood of Panamá City, Panama (historically associated with La Caleta, near the Amador Causeway). Dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, the thirteenth-century founder of the Franciscan Order known for his embrace of poverty, love of creation, and pursuit of peace, the parish forms part of the Zona Pastoral Santa María La Antigua and the Vicaría de Cristo Rey.

The parish describes itself as a very active Catholic Christian community committed to transformation through Christ's love and compassion. It maintains an active online presence, providing resources for catechesis, sacramental preparation, and community engagement. As of January 3, 2026, no basilica status or historic landmark designation is documented in available sources.

Specific details on the canonical erection date of the parish or the construction of the current church building cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources, though hagiographic tradition links its origins to a wooden image of Saint Francis of Assisi reportedly found by fishermen in a small bay.

History

According to hagiographic tradition preserved on the parish website and local accounts, the devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi in the area originated when fishermen found a wooden statue identified as the saint washed ashore in a caleta (small bay). This event is said to have given the area its historical name, La Caleta, and inspired the establishment of a chapel.

The community of San Francisco de la Caleta was officially founded in 1923, with the broader corregimiento of San Francisco established in 1926. The chapel of San Francisco de Asís de La Caleta began as a mission dependent on larger parishes, including periods under the care of the Claretian missionaries and the parish of Las Sabanas.

The exact date of canonical erection as an independent parish cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources. The first recorded pastor of the independent parish was Fr. Marcelino Zavala, appointed by Archbishop Juan José Maíztegui.

Special features

• Very active and participatory community
• Online platform supporting growth in faith and understanding of the sacraments

Relics

Specific details regarding relics in the parish are not publicly documented in available sources. According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar likely contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches (often first-class relics of martyrs sealed within the altar stone). This reflects common practice encouraged by the Church, though historical verification for this parish is limited.

Architecture

Specific details on the architectural style, designer, or construction dates of the church building are limited in publicly available sources. The structure appears to be a modern urban church serving contemporary parish needs.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, murals, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. Devotional focus centers on Saint Francis of Assisi, with the traditional wooden image reportedly found by fishermen serving as a key element of local piety (though its current location or visibility cannot be confirmed).

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