Recently I had the opportunity to travel in Guatemala. Aside from the stunning scenery and welcoming people, I was amazed at the numerous, beautiful churches I encountered all over the country. Guatemala is a very religious country, with a large population of Roman Catholics and a long history with the Church. Over the centuries the churches have withstood earthquakes, mudslides, abandonment and civil war. The churches and convents in the gallery below are in various states of repair and restoration.

Click through the images in the gallery to read the captions.

Church of San Andrés Xecul, the most vibrant church I have ever seen.

The view of the city from a small park in Antigua

Detail on a fountain at the ruins of Convento de la Merced in Antigua

Inside the Church of Santiago Atitlán. The local women make clothes for these statues of the saints every year.

Ruins of an old Cathedral, Antigua.

The ruins of Convento de la Merced in Antigua.

A view of the Church of San Andrés Xecul from the mountainside.

The ruins of one of Antigua’s many churches. A market gathers out front on weekends.

The church at the centre of Zunil, a small town in rural Guatemala.

The second floor of the ruins of Convento de la Merced.

Afternoon Mass attendees in Xecul.

A beautiful centuries-old church in Antigua.

Church of San Andrés Xecul.

The church of La Merced, Antigua.

Church of Santiago de Atitlán. Inside the church the have an area dedicated to Father Stanley Rother, a priest who was assassinated during the Guatemalan civil war. You can read more about his story here: http://ndepth.newsok.com/father-rother