Iglesia de La Merced Church of History
It first arose on another site, mainly of adobe, and held out for 50 years. The second structure of rock, lime and brick tumbled in a violent earthquake. The image of Our Lady of Mercy surfaced as first in the beginnings of the founding of the city. Some say that a statue of Jesus and Mary existed for receiving offerings as an idol called Mary Messiah. On September 8, 1575, the volcano Pichincha Guagua erupted. Mary - invoked under the title of Our Lady of Mercy - received the credit through her intercession as the protectress of the land for liberation of the curse. This story of idolatry, although believed to be inaccurate, still circulates. Also known as the Pilgrim Virgin, she made her rounds to different pueblos carried by the religious in prayer to raise funds for rebuilding. At any rate, Iglesia de La Merced historic church vibrantly added to Quito through the turbulence of the different eras. Its art and records sustain this.
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