First United Methodist Church of Ponce, Methodist church in Primero district, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The First United Methodist Church of Ponce is a church building in Ponce's Primero district that blends multiple architectural styles. It combines Neo-Gothic, Spanish Revival, Spanish Baroque, and Byzantine influences with rusticated concrete walls and wooden gabled roofs that create its distinctive silhouette.
The building was constructed in 1908 by architect Antonin Nechodoma and became one of the first Protestant churches in Puerto Rico following the shift away from Spanish colonial rule. It marked a turning point in the island's religious landscape as it transitioned to a new era of religious diversity.
The stained-glass windows inside display religious imagery that catches your eye immediately upon entering the church. The central gabled facade facing Calle Villa is decorated with ornamental details that reflect the architectural taste of its time.
The building can be visited on Tuesday through Friday mornings without advance notice required. For Saturday visits, contacting ahead is recommended to arrange access to the interior.
In the 1960s, the building served as the founding location of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico at Ponce before the school moved to a new campus. This educational connection demonstrates the building's importance to the community extended beyond its religious function.
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