Capilla de la Conchita (Church of the Immaculate Conception) in Mexico City, Mexico

The Capilla de la Inmaculada Concepción, known as "La Conchita," in Coyoacán, Mexico City, is one of the oldest Christian churches in the Americas, built in 1525 by Spanish colonists. Christianity arrived in the Americas with Spanish explorers, with Hispaniola being the site of early Spanish settlements and religious institutions. New settlements were established by the Spanish in the Caribbean and the mainland, some of which were abandoned or destroyed over time. In Mexico, the first Spanish settlement was La Antigua, with ruins of religious buildings, and the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception was built in Tenochtitlán, later Mexico City. The chapel, known as "La Conchita," was built on the site of an indigenous religious building and has undergone numerous reconstructions and restorations. The chapel has witnessed significant historical events, including its sacking during the War of Reform and damage from the 2017 earthquake. It is a testament to the early spread of Christianity in the Americas and the resilience of religious structures throughout history.