Originally erected on the grounds of an 18th‑century hermitage founded by doctrineros from Esparza, the Parroquía de Nuestra Señora de Pilar in Tres Ríos features six expansive stained‑glass windows that narrate the legend of the Virgin’s apparition atop a pillar to St. James the Apostle. Each lancet—framed by slender lead cames—melds classical Marian iconography (the pillar surmounted by a rose) with local botanical motifs, such as mango leaf scrollwork, symbolizing Costa Rica’s fertile landscape. Positioned along the nave and behind the choir loft, these windows bathe the interior in jewel‑toned light, reinforcing the parish’s historic devotion to its patroness, Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Crafted by mid‑century artisans in San José using traditional hand‑painted enamels on mouth‑blown glass, the panels blend neo‑Gothic architectural tracery with a bright Caribbean‑inspired palette. In 2018, the Archdiocese of San José spearheaded a major conservation effort—replacing cracked panes, repairing lead cames and reinforcing exterior protective glazing—to safeguard original pigments and ensure the windows continue to illuminate worshippers for generations to come, in line with established heritage guidelines for historic stained glass preservation
Jonathan Jiménez shared this image with us on the morning of Good Friday: the windows at the Parroquía de Nuestra Señora de Pilar in Tres Ríos, just east of San José.
