Two historic churches in Mexico City reopen almost nine years after earthquake damage

St. John of God Church and Holy True Cross Church have reopened for worship in the historic center of Mexico City. The reopening follows nearly nine years of restoration work necessitated by the earthquakes that struck central and southwestern Mexico in September 2017.

A Mass was celebrated at Holy True Cross Church on July 8 to mark the conclusion of the restoration process. The repairs were described as slow and meticulous due to the complexity of the structural damage. The 2017 earthquakes caused 468 deaths and damaged thousands of buildings, including approximately 160 Catholic churches in Mexico City.

Holy True Cross Church is one of the oldest churches in Mexico. The parish tradition traces its origins to a chapel ordered by Hernán Cortés. The church contains sacred art, including the Christ of the Seven Veils, which tradition states was a gift from Pope Paul III to King Carlos V of Spain. The church also preserves a relic of the true cross.