Many locals consider the Templo Expiatorio in Guadalajara the most beautiful church in the city, and they have a point: it is regarded as the finest example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Mexico. It took 75 years to build, its facade was carved by hand stone by stone, as in the Middle Ages, and three times a day a German clock sends the twelve apostles on parade while a 25-bell carillon plays. This guide to the Templo Expiatorio covers its history, its architecture, the famous apostles clock and everything you need to plan your visit.
📍 Visitor information: Address: Manuel López Cotilla 935, at the corner of Enrique Díaz de León, Colonia Americana. Visiting hours: approx. 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (avoid Mass times if you are only sightseeing). Admission: free. The apostles parade at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Getting there: across from the Museo de las Artes (MUSA); the closest Tren Ligero (light rail) station is Mexicaltzingo (Lines 1 and 2).
History: 75 years to build a church
The idea of building a church dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament came about in the late 19th century, when a group of parishioners formed a committee and, together with Archbishop Pedro Loza y Pardavé, held a competition among architects and engineers. The winning design was by the renowned Italian architect Adamo Boari, who was brought to Mexico by Porfirio Díaz and later designed the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Palacio Postal in Mexico City. More recent research by the Museo de la Ciudad attributes the original design to Mexican architect Salvador Collado Jasso, who also built the Arcediano bridge.
The cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1897. By 1911 the interior columns were in place, but the Mexican Revolution, religious persecution and economic hardship halted construction. In 1924, after the death of canon Pedro Romero, Father José Garibi Rivera was put in charge of finishing it, assisted by engineer Luis Ugarte; in 1927 architect Ignacio Díaz Morales took over and saw the project through to completion in 1972. Three quarters of a century of work went into one of Guadalajara’s most beloved buildings.
Hand-carved Neo-Gothic architecture
The church is built of hand-carved cantera stone, worked the same way stone was cut in the Middle Ages. Its three-part facade features a marble medallion and bronze figures on Eucharistic themes by Benito Castañeda. The large stained-glass windows are the work of Jaques and Gerard Degusseau of Orléans, France, based on designs by Parisian painter Maurice Rocher; the doors are made of granadillo wood by Jesús Gómez Velazco. The three tympanums on the front are Italian mosaics made in the Vatican workshop: the Paschal Lamb over the central nave and Saint Tarcisius and Saint Pius X over the side naves, designed by Vatican expert Francisco Bencivenga.
📖 Related articles: Guadalajara Cathedral — The other great church downtown | Museums in Guadalajara — More culture in the city
The German clock and the procession of the apostles
The best-loved feature of the Expiatorio is its clock, imported from Germany, with four illuminated faces and a 25-bell carillon that plays 25 religious and popular tunes, including Ave Maria, the Mexican national anthem, Las Mañanitas, Guadalajara, Las Golondrinas and México Lindo y Querido. It was a gift promoted in 1969 by Pablo Horn and the group “Sembradores de la Amistad.” When the music plays, figures of the twelve apostles file across a balcony at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The carillon stopped working in 1972 and was restored in 2005 with an electronic system, which is what you hear today.
🕘 To see the apostles: Arrive a few minutes before 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. and stand facing the clock tower. The 6:00 p.m. show, when the church lights start coming on, is the best one for photos.
What to see near the Expiatorio
The Expiatorio faces a plaza in the heart of Colonia Americana and shares a corner with one of the city’s most important cultural venues: directly across the street is the Museo de las Artes (MUSA), which houses murals by José Clemente Orozco in the dome of its Paraninfo (main auditorium). You are also a few minutes from the historic core, so it makes sense to combine this stop with the rest of the Guadalajara Historic Center. If you like places with history and legends, the Casa de los Perros, home to the journalism museum, and the Panteón de Belén cemetery are not far away.
📖 Keep exploring: Museo de las Artes (MUSA) — Right across the street | Guadalajara Historic Center — Things to do downtown | Casa de los Perros — The journalism museum | Things to do in Guadalajara | Things to do in Tequila — A getaway from Guadalajara
Where to eat nearby
Colonia Americana, the neighborhood around the Expiatorio, is full of cafés and restaurants. To start your day, check out the best breakfast spots in Guadalajara, and if you arrive hungry, see the best buffets in Guadalajara.
How to get to the Templo Expiatorio
The church is at Manuel López Cotilla 935, at the corner of Enrique Díaz de León, in Colonia Americana, across from MUSA. By public transportation, the closest Tren Ligero station is Mexicaltzingo (Lines 1 and 2), and many bus routes run along the Juárez–Vallarta corridor. If you drive, there is an underground public parking garage beneath the plaza in front of the church, although it is often busy.
Frequently asked questions
What time do the apostles come out at the Expiatorio?
The figures of the twelve apostles parade to the sound of the carillon at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. every day.
How much does it cost to visit the Templo Expiatorio?
Admission is free. It is an active church, so if you are only sightseeing, plan your visit outside Mass times.
Who built the Expiatorio and how long did it take?
The design is attributed to Italian architect Adamo Boari (recent research credits Salvador Collado Jasso), and Ignacio Díaz Morales completed it. It was built between 1897 and 1972: 75 years.
Why is the Templo Expiatorio in Guadalajara famous?
It is considered the finest Neo-Gothic building in Mexico, and it is known for its hand-carved cantera stone facade and its German clock with a 25-bell carillon and the procession of the apostles.