In a humble early morning ceremony attended by the staff and engineers of the Cubitá Wyndham Grand residential/hotel project currently under construction in the city of Chitré on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula, the Reverend Father Juan Solís of the Diocese of Chitré gave his blessing to the construction of the chapel which forms part of the project, on Thursday, October 31st. The colonial style chapel, with a projected seating capacity of 40 to 50 people, will be the centerpiece of the 100-room Wyndham Grand hotel, located in the internal patio between the hotel’s two main wings.

Quoting Psalm 127, Verse 1 of the Bible, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”, in addition to other readings chosen for this special occasion, Father Solís reminded those present of the importance of placing God at the center of all human endeavors. He also expressed his contentment when the project’s General Manager Ivan Eskildsen approached him two years ago to discuss the project and the intention to incorporate a chapel which would host a weekly mass and be open daily for visitation by hotel guests, Cubitá residents and local community members of all faiths. Mass is tentatively scheduled to be held every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., with plans to include the regular participation of a choir. The chapel will also be available by reservation for weddings, baptisms, first communions and other significant life events.

In addition to the chapel, another unique detail of the project will be a museum highlighting the region’s Pre-Columbian and colonial heritage as well as the craftsmanship of local artisans. The construction of a fully operating chapel and museum as the focal points of the Cubitá Wyndham Grand project vividly illustrate the well-known slogan “In Chitre, no one is a stranger”, exemplifying a community which actively seeks to bring guests, foreign residents and locals together in culturally and spiritually meaningful ways.