2024 COHORT
Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres
(Catholic)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
The Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, was built in 1950 to honor the patron saint of social justice and racial harmony and is considered the first Modernist church constructed on the island.
Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres Photo by Jorge Rigau
Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres Photo by Jorge Rigau
2024 Cohort
Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres
(Catholic)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
The Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, was built in 1950 to honor the patron saint of social justice and racial harmony and is considered the first Modernist church constructed on the island.
Built as a pilgrimage church and to offer services to residents of several nearby housing developments, the Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres was built for the Dominican Priests and is a significant example of a regionalist approach to Modern Catholic architecture. It was designed by architect Henry Klumb, a German-born student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is notable for its abstract design elements, natural ventilation, and quality artwork. The Santuario is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Santuario partners with the local parish and the City of Bayamón to assist neighbors in need, provide space for community events, and host an annual health fair. The congregation frequently raises funds and supplies to meet immediate community needs.
A National Fund grant of $50,000 along with $50,000 raised by the congregation will allow the Santuario to address a variety of urgent building needs, including roof repairs, electrical system upgrades and ADA upgrades that will open the space to neighbors and visitors.
Santuario Nacional San Martín de Porres Photo by Jorge Rigau
Spotlighting Women’s History at Historic Houses of Worship
Religious institutions have served both as a platform for the advancement of women’s rights and opportunities, and women have played critical roles in advancing religious traditions. The leadership and community building opportunities within these sacred sites have been critical to increasing female independence outside of the home and allowing women to develop institutions that strengthen their congregations and broader communities. The four historic houses of worship highlighted embody positive examples of how the histories of women and religion are inherently linked.
First Church in Oberlin
Stories and Media Coverage
Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez