Iglesia Santa Teresita de Jesus, San Jose

Iglesia Santa Teresita de Jesús is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Costa Rican architect José María Barrantes prepared the design in 1920, and the church took shape around 1930. It was declared part of Costa Rica’s historic architectural heritage in 1999, recognising its cultural value and its role in the development of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The white exterior follows a balanced classical composition, with columns and pilasters, triangular pediments, tall windows and a circular opening beneath the main gable. A large reddish dome rises above the nave, while a statue of Saint Thérèse stands on the front roofline. Reinforced concrete and a steel framework imported from Belgium were used in its construction, combining traditional religious forms with early 20th-century building methods.

Inside, long rows of wooden pews face a raised altar beneath high arches and vaulted ceilings. Side windows and stained-glass details bring softened light into the nave, creating a calm setting for prayer and architectural observation. Visitors should dress and speak respectfully; access may be limited during Masses and parish activities.