The Temple of San Mateo Churubusco

The Temple of San Mateo Churubusco is one of the few reminders of the old altepetl (Nauhatl: “City State”) of Huitzilopochco. The city-state past under control of Mexico-Tenochtitlan in 1428. Built in 1569, this temple was standing when the Franciscan Dieguins arrived at what was to become the nearby Churubusco Monastery,

The town of Huitzilopuchco had thereafter already begun to be called Sant Mateo. The further place-name of Churubusco was added at about the same time. But from then on Huitzilopuchco was essentially lost within the larger Churubusco, and later, Coyoacán.

Documents of the time indicate that the town had some 11 neighborhoods and two of them with finished churches. Fruit selling, salt production, basketry, ceramics, and some fishing were main sources of livelihood for town residents.

• The Feast of Saint Matthew is celebrated on 21 September of each year. The Temple of San Mateo Churubusco then breaks out one of the city’s truly extraordinary floral arches to adorn the entrance of the temple. This is not to be missed if you’re in the city during late September. The festivities surrounding and in the church atrium are also normally a great deal of spectacle and fun.