An offering to the saint of the poor
Hidden behind thick stone walls, the side altarpiece in the church of St Bartholomew the Apostle in Suma marries its historical and architectonic value to the austerity of the church which houses it.
The altar is dedicated to St Anthony of Padua, and according to Fernando Garcés Fierros, was possibly built in the 16th century, which would make it one of the oldest in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is also one of the key features of the church in this village located 58 km (36 miles) from Merida, in the north-central part of the State.
In the north nave of the church, we find the carved lateral altarpiece, comprising a single section, predella and gable. The niche in the center is crowned by a shell, and flanked by two Renaissance-style columns.
However, since the carved wooden gem has been repainted, says Garcés Fierros, it is impossible to appreciate the original finish of this corner dedicated to the Franciscan preacher.
To the front, St. Anthony, whose feast day is the 13th of June, is accompanied by an image of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is the object of great devotion among the townspeople.
Despite the presumed antiquity of the altarpiece, construction of the church of St. Bartholomew, whose feast day is the 24th of August, began in the 18th century. On the façade of the church, above the stone arch that frames the main door, and below the choir window, is an inscription reading 1789, the year in which the building was completed.
The altarpiece honoring the Doctor of the Church can be visited when the church is open for religious services.
Suma is a Mayan toponym with two possible etymologies. One is “Sum’s water”, from Sum, an indigenous name, and ha’, water; while the alternative is “Water where the vines flourish”, from suum, the name of a climbing plant, and ha’.
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