Exterior view of the Iglesia de San Felipe (Church of St Philip or the Black Christ Church), a Catholic church in Portobelo, Panamá. Built in 1814, it houses a statue of Cristo Negro ("Black Christ"), which was found on the shores of the harbour.  Outside the church is a large white-painted building & was the last structure built by Spain before leaving Panamá.  After the Cristo Negro statue was constructed in 1814, it was installed in the church. The statue is adorned in various gowns; these are preserved at the Museo del Cristo Negro (Black Christ Museum), which is situated at nearby Iglesia de San Juan de Dios.

The Cristo Negro statue is adorned with a robe that is changed twice a year, once during the Festival of the Black Christ and during Holy Week. Black Christ is venerated throughout the year, most particularly on October 21, during the Festival of the Black Christ.  It's origins are unclear - the wooden image of Christ washed ashore at Portobelo & picked up by fishermen. It was initially housed in a small church and venerated. After Iglesia de San Felipe was built, the statue was installed there. One legend says that the statue was said to be sent to Spain. Some time during the 17th century (an exact date is not identified), it was carried in a Colombian vessel to be installed in the New World. Due to a storm, the ship was forced to dock at Portobelo. When the ship was scheduled to depart, a sudden storm set in, preventing the ship to set sail; this happened repeatedly. Attributing this phenomenon to the statue, the superstitious sailors threw the box containing the statue into the sea and thereafter the storm subsided, and the ship moved on.

The statue is venerated by people from all parts of Panamá. Several miracles have been attributed to Cristo Negro and so it is also referred to as "El Nazareno." Visiting the church is a pilgrimage undertaken by villagers. Some walk 85km from Panamá City, others walk 35 km from Sabanitas, and a few pilgrims crawl the last mile on their hands and knees, seeking blessings at the shrine.  During the pilgrimage, pilgrims adorn themselves with purple robes (representing the clothing worn by Jesus when Roman soldiers made fun of him for claiming kingship) similar to the one that adorns Cristo Negro.

Criminals also make this pilgrimage to atone for their crimes. There are many stories related to criminals participating on the festival day, which has resulted in designating the Black Christ as the "patron saint of criminals."  Some devout worshipers pin gold charms on their robes as symbols of faith. On arriving at the threshold of the church, pilgrims discard their robes at the midnight hour.

More info here: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_de_San_Felipe,_Portobelo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristo_Negro_(Portobelo)