The Brick Twin Spires Church

The Brick Twin Spires Church Near Highway 200 in Puerto Vallarta (And Why It’s Worth a Stop)

If you’ve ever been driving down Highway 200 near Centro and you spot a brick church with two tall spires, you’re not imagining things. It’s one of those Puerto Vallarta landmarks that quietly anchors the neighborhood. It’s not as talked about as the Guadalupe church downtown, but once you notice it, you’ll start spotting it all the time.

What church is this?

This is the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Refugio, also known as Our Lady of the Refuge Parish.

Where it is and why you saw it from Highway 200

The church is in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, just north of Centro, and it sits right by Plaza Hidalgo (Parque Hidalgo).

That’s why it feels like it’s “right by Highway 200.” Federal Highway 200 is the main coastal road that runs through Vallarta, and in this area you’re basically one quick turn away from the church and the park. You’re still in the heart of the city, but the moment you step over there it gets calmer fast.

A good way to picture it:

Centro is the busy core. 5 de Diciembre is the neighborhood just above it. This church is one of the first big landmarks you hit on that north side.

The history (the part that makes it more than just a pretty building)

This church isn’t a centuries-old cathedral. It’s a newer Vallarta landmark, but it has a very local origin story.

Construction began on July 4, 1960, and it was built with major help from the community and parishioners. I love that detail because it means this wasn’t just a project dropped into the city. People here made it happen.

It’s also part of the Catholic structure that covers this region, and it’s recognized in the listings for the Diocese that includes Puerto Vallarta.

Why it looks the way it does

Even though it’s not old European, the design leans Gothic-inspired, which is why it has:

Pointed arches

Tall doors and windows

A very vertical, dramatic “eyes up” look

Twin spires that frame the entire front

It’s simple but striking. And on a day when the Vallarta sky is doing its thing, those spires look insane in photos.

What it’s like inside (and what most people miss from the street)

From the outside, it’s all about the facade and the spires. But once you step inside, it has a peaceful, grounded feel.

One of the coolest features is the courtyard area you can see through the doors. It gives the church that “it’s more than just one room” feeling. It’s a functioning parish space with movement, quiet corners, and that calm energy that hits you the second you walk in.

Why you should stop here, even if you’re not doing a church tour

Because this is real Puerto Vallarta.

It’s a neighborhood church, sitting right at the edge of the city buzz. People pass it daily. Families cross the street from the park. It’s part of the fabric of the area, not just a tourist photo stop.

And if you like architecture or photography, it’s one of those buildings that always looks different depending on the light and the sky.

Will Hutt

Coldwell Banker La Costa

+1-239-691-0782

Will.Hutt@cblacosta.com

@BeachPleasePVR on Instagram