The central plaza, or square, is a place for official and unofficial recreational events and a place where people can gather and socialize from dusk to dawn. The
Laws of the Indies, Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for "the parties" (celebrations, festivities) (), and that the square should be proportionally large enough for the number of neighbors (). These Spanish regulations also stated that the streets nearby should be comfortable portals for passersby, protecting them from the elements: sun and rain. Located across from the central plaza in Barceloneta barrio-pueblo is the (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish). The first church was made of masonry but with a wooden roof. Inaugurated around 1881, it was destroyed by
Hurricane San Felipe in 1928. The current church was built in 1930 and was most likely designed by Luis Perocier. It has been renovated and enlarged since its inauguration. ==History==