Across the street, you can see Mission Concepción. But did you know that the church we are standing in front of, the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, played a pivotal role in preserving some of Concepción’s lost treasures? In the mid-20th century, two significant paintings from Mission Concepción, “Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception” and a smaller painting of St. Francis, were discovered hidden in the rafters above the stage in San Fernando Cathedral’s School. They had been moved there in 1794 when the missions were secularized. The canvases, forgotten for over 150 years, were eventually entrusted to the care of Sister Tharsilla Fuchs, the director of the Art Department at Our Lady of the Lake College. Her hope was to see them restored to their former glory. After another three decades and several changes in location, the paintings found their way to art restorer Esther Siegfried in 1999. She meticulously brought them back to life, revealing their beauty once more. Today, these restored masterpieces serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of faith and artistry embodied by both Mission Concepción and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to