This was the very first church that was built in Bolivia. Originally, it was a very simple, rectangular thatched building with a mud altar. The church features an elongated floor plan with attached chapels. The paintings of Christ and the Apostles are attributed to the Sevillian artist Polanco.
The Church of San Lázaro in Sucre, Bolivia, is one of the oldest and most historically significant religious buildings in the city. Built around 1544 during the Spanish colonial period, it served as one of Sucre’s earliest parish churches before the construction of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Located at Daniel Calvo Street, corner of Manuel Ascencio Padilla, the church is known for its simple colonial architecture and enduring stone walls that stand as a testament to the city’s early history. Inside, visitors can admire a historic altarpiece attributed to 16th-century sculptor Juan (or Andrés) Hernández, an important example of colonial religious art.
San Lázaro remains an active parish with daily Mass and traditional celebrations such as the Holy Sepulchre procession at Easter. Recent conservation efforts by the Sucre municipality have focused on restoring the main facade and roof, ensuring the preservation of this important cultural and architectural monument.
