High above us, the cross atop Inmaculado Corazón de Maria gleams. It is a symbol of faith that has endured despite many challenges. This is the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de Maria. It is a distinctive Catholic church. It crowns the northern end of Plaza Constitución in Buenos Aires. The church stands as a testament to resilience.
Around 1905, Doña Julia Merchante donated land for the church. She wanted the Claretian order to build a church dedicated to the Sagrado Corazón de Maria. The order settled there on August 14. However construction was delayed. The cornerstone was laid on May 21 1914. Monsignor Espinosa presided over the ceremony. Brother Luis Echavarri designed the complex. Rómulo Ayerza signed the plans.
Construction progressed slowly. F. Mayer of Munich was commissioned. They created nine stained-glass windows for the church. E.F. Walker built an organ with 2000 tubes. It is one of the few of its kind in Buenos Aires today. The Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de Maria was inaugurated on April 17 1923. The Auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala José Maria Piñol y Bartres blessed it. President Marcelo T. de Alvear and his wife Regina Pacini de Alvear attended. Carlos Noel the Mayor was also there along with the Spanish ambassador and Rómulo Ayerza.
Yet the work was not complete. The crosses were placed on the 53-meter towers around 1926. The main altar was installed in 1941. This marked the completion of the church’s construction. On October 12 1928 it became a parish.
From 1937 the construction of Avenida 9 de Julio began. This is Buenos Aires’ widest avenue. It aimed to connect Constitución with Retiro. It would cut through the city center with a wide green space. The Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón was in its projected path. The community resisted expropriation and demolition. The temple remained standing. It was isolated on a small block. Other buildings around it were demolished.
In 1978, Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore proposed a network of elevated highways. One extension of Avenida 9 de Julio would pass by the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón. The community’s strong opposition prevented potential seizure again.
The Autopista Frondizi was built. The Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón was isolated at one end of Plaza Constitución. It was next to the embankment built for the highway. Vibrations from traffic and the Line C subway damaged the church. The concrete crumbled. The iron in the towers began to rust.
In 2006 the city government warned the Claretian order. In 2008 the two iron crosses were removed. One was visibly leaning and about to fall. The Claretian order had to raise funds for restoration. The church is not a National Historic Monument so it did not receive national funds. However it did get contributions from the city government.
Restoration began in mid-2010. Work was limited to the facade and towers. Lighter versions of the iron crosses were installed. Work stopped in June 2011 due to lack of funds. The architecture firm Frías Ayerza-Butler led the restoration. The first phase ended in November that year.
Inmaculado Corazón de Maria stands as a symbol of faith and architectural beauty. It is a testament to the power of community. It overcame many obstacles. The church continues to inspire hope. It also offers a place of worship. It is nestled in the heart of Buenos Aires.