Roof over historic Mexican church collapses despite years of ignored safety appeals

The San Luis Obispo church, the second-oldest monument in the Mexican state of Campeche, experienced a partial roof collapse on Sunday afternoon following years of unsuccessful requests for structural reinforcement. No injuries were reported, as the building was closed for maintenance during the incident.

Witnesses described hearing an explosion before dust began billowing from the doors of the historic structure in central Calkiní. Emergency services, including civil protection units, police, and ambulances, quickly responded to verify the building was empty.

Parish priest Fernando Manzo disclosed that church officials had repeatedly sought assistance from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to allocate resources for structural reinforcement, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. The collapse occurred while the centuries-old church was undergoing maintenance work, highlighting the urgency of the previously requested repairs.

Through an official statement, the Diocese of Campeche conveyed Manzo’s confirmation of the collapse and the absence of casualties. “The Parish will continue to pastorally care for its faithful in the spaces that are adapted for worship, which the parish priest will inform in due time of their location,” the statement read.

The church, which began construction in 1561 under the direction of Franciscan friars and was completed in 1776, represents a significant piece of Mexican religious heritage. According to historical records, the Franciscan friars initially established rudimentary structures upon their arrival in 1540 before commencing work on the permanent temple and convent. The building was later declared a national monument on April 4, 1952, and is registered in the Public Registry of Monuments and Archaeological and Historical Zones.

Civil Protection authorities have cordoned off the entire area due to concerns about the building’s structural integrity following the collapse. The Diocese announced the immediate suspension of all religious activities at the site, with services and sacraments being relocated to alternative venues, including the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

The parish has taken to social media to share images of the damage and inform parishioners about alternate arrangements for religious ceremonies. The incident has raised questions about the preservation of historical religious structures and the response to maintenance requests for these important cultural monuments.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation while maintaining the security perimeter around the damaged structure, preventing public access to ensure safety.