La Compañía de Jesús

The Church and Convent of San Ignacio de Loyola de la Compañía de Jesú de Quito, also known as La Compañía by Ecuadorians, is a Catholic clerical complex located on the corner of Calles Garca Moreno and Sucre in the Historic Center of Quito, Ecuador's capital. The main temple's façade is fully carved out of volcanic stone. This church has been dubbed the "Temple of Solomon of South America" over time. It was dubbed "Golden Ember" by Father Bernardo Recio, a traveling Jesuit.

The Residencia San Ignacio, Ecuador's "Mother House," is part of the complex. This "Jesuit block" hosted the Seminario San Luis, Colegio Máximo, University of San Gregorio Magno, and the Mainas Missions Office during colonial times. The Colegio San Gabriel has been on the block since 1862.

The church and its ornate interior, which is entirely covered in gold sheets, is a popular tourist attraction in the city and a priceless aesthetic and economic legacy for the country. On January 30, 1985, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to the church and presided over a service there as part of his three-day journey to Ecuador. It was also visited by Pope Francis on July 7, 2015, who prayed there before the image of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Location: Quito, Ecuador