Although Peru does not have an official religion, the Roman Catholic Church–to which over 90 percent of Peruvians belonged– is recognized in the constitution as deserving of government cooperation. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church has monopolized religion in the public domain.

The church and convent of San Francisco was built around 1674. The exterior of the building is a yellow colonial styled structure with Baroque architecture. Upon entering you pay $2 for a 45-minute tour. On your tour you first see the church with its wood carvings and tiles. Next, you walk to a monastery with a museum of religious art. Paintings by the local artist Francisco Zurbaran and painting of the life of Saint Francis of Assisi can be seen here. As you continue walking you are taken to a library with an impressive collection of over 25,000 books. This room houses massive choir books on floor stands. As you continue walking you end up in the convent area where at the far end of the dining area is a huge painting of the Last Supper. The artist added some Peruvian elements to the scene. The apostles and Jesus are dining on cuy, roast guinea pig and drinking Chicha, an alcoholic Peruvian corn drink from a gold Peruvian cup called a queros.

Although Peru does not have an official religion, the Roman Catholic Church–to which over 90 percent of Peruvians belonged– is recognized in the constitution as deserving of government cooperation. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church has monopolized religion in the public domain.

The new church replaces a small, corrugated metal structure and will serve the Seventh-day Adventist community on the 40-plus islands that float on Lake Titicaca, Peru, some 12,500 feet above sea level. The new church will seat 250 people and contain two Bible study classrooms and a baptistry. The building will also serve as the community’s general auditorium.

The church is scheduled to be dedicated on Nov. 12, four weeks after Maranatha Volunteers International starts construction. Church members, Peruvian officials and representatives from the Adventist world church, including Pastor Jan Paulsen, world church president, are planning to attend the ceremony. Maranatha Volunteers International is a California-based non-profit organization that constructs urgently needed buildings through the use of volunteers.