Imagine yourself transported back to July 1940. That’s when the story of Parroquia Dulce Nombre de María began. This humble church started its journey in the Barrio de Doña Carlota. It’s located in the Puente Vallecas district, now known as Barrio de Numancia.
Parroquia Dulce Nombre de María was established to serve the area between two other parishes. These were San Ramón Neonato in Puente de Vallecas and Nuestra Señora de la Antigua in Vicalvaro. Back then, Vicalvaro was quite different. The area that is now Moratalaz was mostly empty. It was farmland near Conde de Casal. The only urbanized area was the Colonia del Hogar Ferroviario dating back to 1925.
Doña Carlota was a suburb from the late 19th century. It sat about a kilometer north of Puente Vallecas. The M30 encircled it to the west. The A3 bordered it to the north. Interestingly the M30 followed the Arroyo Abroñigal riverbed. The A3 ran along the Arroyo de las Moreras. Doña Carlota sat where these two streams met. This meeting point is now the interchange between the M30 and A3.
Let’s rewind to the early 20th century. A map from 1900 shows three key landmarks in Doña Carlota. The Ermita del Dulce Nombre de María stood tall. There was also a mixed municipal school. The Barrio’s local council office served the community. The neighborhood itself didn’t exist before 1875. By 1916, it looked much like it did in 1900.
In 1927, the church was already on Calle de San Florencio. The little square next to it was called Plaza de Doña Carlota. After Vallecas joined Madrid in 1950, the square was renamed Plaza de Cuelgamuros. This happened under the Franco regime.
Vallecas became part of Madrid in 1950. By 1957, the Colonia Sandi, Mercado de Doña Carlota, and Colegio Tajamar were still unbuilt. Between 1957 and 1960 the area changed greatly. Many young couples came from other parts of Spain. They sought work in the capital.
The old brick factory was gone by 1977. The area near Colegio Tajamar began to develop. In the 1980s, the old brickyard became the Hogar del Taxista cooperative. The uneven Cerro del Tío Pío became a park with seven hills. This is now a popular spot for amazing city views.
Today, Parroquia Dulce Nombre de María stands on Calle San Florencio number 1. It’s in the Numancia neighborhood of Puente de Vallecas. You can reach it by bus lines 113 and 8. Nearby Bicimad stations are 225 and 226. The church’s phone number is 914 333 865. Its email is pdulcenombre@archimadrid.es. Remember the story of Parroquia Dulce Nombre de María. It’s a testament to community. It reflects Madrid’s ever-changing landscape.