Comedian asks president to save historic church
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In San Salvador, El Salvador, Tenchis Céliber, a popular comedic character played by Julio Yúdice, publicly requested that President Nayib Bukele support the restoration of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria church.
Céliber made the appeal during a visit to the church, emphasizing its importance to El Salvador’s cultural heritage and its connection to the country’s faith and collective memory. The Candelaria church dates back to 1816, making it the last church built during the colonial period in San Salvador.
Though the original structure was destroyed in the 1873 earthquake, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1879, later being designated a National Monument in 1978. Its architecture blends Neoclassical, Romantic, and Neobaroque styles and features extensive wood detailing. Throughout its history, the church has withstood natural disasters including the 1873 earthquake, a 1922 flood from the Acelhuate River, and the 1986 earthquake, which damaged its dome and main nave.
Despite past restorations, the church currently shows signs of deterioration in its wooden and metal elements. Céliber’s visit aims to draw attention to the need for ongoing maintenance and preservation of this important landmark, located in the Candelaria neighborhood and easily accessible as part of a larger cultural tour of San Salvador’s historic center.
