Roof of 400-year-old Mexican church collapses before mass
Part of the roof of San Luis Obispo Church in Calkiní, northern Campeche, Mexico, collapsed on January 5, just hours before a Mass to celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. No one was injured.
The collapse happened around 3 p.m. local time, almost two hours before the service. Father Luis Ángel Mendoza Pérez, a spokesman for the Diocese of Campeche, said the vault of the church fell "from the entrance of the main door extending approximately 14 meters [45 feet] in length."
The affected area had been closed off to the public for over a month due to concerns about the building's condition.
Father Mendoza explained that the church’s pastor, Father Fernando Manzo, had already requested help from authorities, including the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). However, no repairs had been carried out before the incident.
The San Luis Obispo Church, built in stages from 1548 to 1776, is a cultural and religious landmark for the local Indigenous Mayan community. Known for its baroque architecture, it features a wooden altarpiece, a carved pulpit, and a historic baptistery.
INAH had earlier identified a structural fault in the roof, dating back to 1776. This fault caused cracks and leaks, which worsened over time despite the efforts of parish priests. A budget for repairs had been approved just two days before the collapse. "Unfortunately, the inclement weather accelerated the deterioration of the roof until it collapsed," Mendoza was quoted as saying.
The Civil Protection Secretariat of Campeche has allowed the use of the church's side chapels and cloister, which are considered safe, for religious services.
The collapse has left the local Catholic community heartbroken. "This church represents their identity as a Christian community. Without the church, they feel homeless," Father Mendoza added.
Roof collapses in old churches have occurred in other parts of Mexico recently. In October 2023, 11 people died, and 60 were injured when the roof of Holy Cross Church in Ciudad Madero caved in. Other incidents in 2024 include collapses in Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, and San Luis Potosí, with no fatalities.
