- IMG 2430
In 1816, the national Lutheran church decommissioned the church at Budir. A woman named Steinunn Sveinsdottir protested, and received permission to rebuild the church herself in 1848. The door ring is inscribed with the words "this church was built in 1848 without the support of the spiritual fathers." Sveinsdottir is buried in the churchyard. - IMG 2432
The church is unlike anything we've seen before. It is painted in bright primary colors, with a yellow facade. There are lots of three dimensional ornamental details such as angels, saints, and flowers painted in vivid blues, reds, and greens. The angels appear to be frolicking, and one is even upside down. It is whimsical and you can't help but smile when you look at it. - IMG 2433
The church was locked, but we were able to peek into the windows. It almost looked as if you were looking into a child's play house version of the church. It had all the usual elements of a church (pews, baptismal font, choir loft, altar), but they were at such a smaller scale. And everything looked like it had just been given a jaunty coat of paint. It was surreal and adorable. - IMG 2433
- IMG 2434
The church was locked, but we were able to peek into the windows. It almost looked as if you were looking into a child's play house version of the church. It had all the usual elements of a church (pews, baptismal font, choir loft, altar), but they were at such a smaller scale. And everything looked like it had just been given a jaunty coat of paint. It was surreal and adorable. - IMG 2434
- IMG 2435
Ian Ivan and Aracely in front of Iglesia San Andres Xecul - IMG 2437
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Buðir churchyard - IMG 2441
Next we went to San Andres Xecul, a uniquely colorful church which we had visited once before. In the early 1900's there was no parish priest here, so the Catholic community took it upon themselves to decorate the exterior of the church in a way which was pleasing to them; in fanciful angel motifs as well as Mayan jaguars, flowers, and vines. The name of the church translates to "Saint Andrew under the blanket," since it is in a part of the highlands which is considered to be significantly colder than surrounding areas. - IMG 2441
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- IMG 2444
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- IMG 2446
Buðir