“Did you know this church was almost lost forever?” This is the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats. It stands as a testament to resilience and faith.
Let’s journey back to 1935. The Bishop of Barcelona inaugurated the original temple of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats. Father Enric Xicola i Pons was the rector. An adjacent parochial school with a large hall also opened in 1936. It served as a community center.
Tragedy struck in July 1936. The temple was completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. The school was badly damaged. It remained abandoned until 1939.
In June 1939, Father Jaume Busquet i Casals became the new rector. He worked hard. He established a provisional temple in the school’s ground floor that September. Soon after, he reopened the school and its theater.
The community needed a permanent church. In 1942, the first stone was laid for a new temple. It was located between Mare de Déu dels Desemparats street and Mn. Jaume Busquet street. The church finally opened on April 24, 1949. The Bishop of Barcelona, Dr. Gregorio Mondrego Casaus, attended. In 1951, five bells were installed in the bell tower. It stood above the temple’s entrance.
The parish continued to grow. In 1956, Bishop Colofon, Fra Matias Solà Farell blessed the first stone of a new school building for children. The new parochial school called Santiago Apòstol opened in 1959. It is now known as Escola Sant Jaume.
In 1960, new facilities opened. These were part of the Santiago Apòstol recreational center. They included sports facilities and an art space.
Father Jaume Busquet Casals died in 1968. The city recognized his work with a gold medal and a street named in his honor. In 1969, Father Valentí Balaguer Planas became the new rector. He had been a vicar since 1961.
In 1984, a large building was renovated. It became a residence for the elderly. It also included a catechetical center.
Today, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats continues to be a vital part of the community. It is a place of worship and a center for cultural and social activities. It embodies faith, resilience, and community spirit. The church stands as a symbol of hope.