Catholic Tourist

Historic Church · Bolivia

Jesuit Mission Church of San Francisco Javier

San Javier, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Catholic ChurchChiquitosHistoric ChurchIndigenous ArtJesuit MissionLiving HeritageUNESCO World HeritageCatholic South America: Saints, Mary & Miracles collectionLiving Catholic historic church

Why pilgrims come

A sacred place worth the journey.

The first of the surviving Chiquitos mission towns, founded in 1696. Its restored timber church, carved columns, sacred art, music, and continuing Catholic community express a Chiquitano adaptation of the mission form rather than an untouched European transplant.

TraditionCatholic

The pilgrim’s guide

What makes this visit meaningful

Begin the Chiquitos story at its earliest surviving mission town, where worship, Indigenous artistry, and restored architecture remain joined.

01

The first Chiquitos mission

Place the 1696 foundation within a much longer Indigenous history.

02

A living Catholic church

Let worship and community life frame the architecture.

Continue nearby

More sacred stops for this journey

CathedralCathedral and Jesuit Mission Church of ConcepciónConcepción, Bolivia