“Isn’t it peculiar? This church doesn’t flaunt a grand facade.” Right here we stand before the Iglesia de la Resurrección. It is a religious building south of Mexico City’s center.
The Iglesia de la Resurrección is located in the narrow Callejón de la Resurrección. It is across from the Callejón de los Canarios. Both are sprinkled with old houses. Avenida del Taller-Eje 2 Sur is one block north. Calzada de la Viga is one block west.
The island of Tultenco is one of the original five islands. Mexico City was built on these. The neighborhood belonged to Teopan. The original island sat between Calzada de Tlalpan and Calzada de la Viga. Tultenco grew to occupy both sides of the Canal de la Viga.
After the conquest, Tultenco’s population declined. It became a village outside the main population. Three chapels were built to serve the residents. These were San Francisquito, Santa Crucita, and La Resurrección. Tultenco was insignificant. It did not appear on city maps until the 20th century. Today it is part of the Artes Gráficas colony.
The Iglesia de la Resurrección is unusual. It differs from other chapels. It lacks a facade with a bell tower. Instead, it has a simple door on the side. Its floor plan is cruciform. The bell tower is separate from the main building. It seems unfinished. It dates back to the late 17th century. The church is made of adobe.
Another Iglesia de la Resurrección, or Parroquia de la Esperanza de María en la Resurrección del Señor, is linked to controversial stories. It is located on Periférico Sur. Sergio Villarreal testified that García Luna met with drug traffickers there. These meetings involved bribe payments. Arturo Beltrán Leyva was a frequent visitor. He used the church for devotion and meetings. This church has a modern design. It includes a main temple for 900 people. The Guadalupe chapel holds 250. The Resurrección chapel holds 300.
Here at the Iglesia de la Resurrección Tultenco, we find a quieter history. It is a testament to resilience. It shows faith in the face of change. Consider its humble facade. Think about its unusual design. It is a hidden gem in Mexico City’s vibrant tapestry.