“San Juditas” they call him. The Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo Apostol stands before us. It is more than just a church. It is a beacon of hope for those in desperate situations. The temple is located at Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 4939 in Mexico City.
Each year on October 28th hundreds of pilgrims gather here. They come to honor San Judas Tadeo. This apostle is deeply revered in Mexican culture. He is the patron saint of lost causes.
The atmosphere around the Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo Apostol is always buzzing with energy. Street vendors line the streets. They sell San Judas Tadeo figurines of every size.
Masses take place here regularly. Wednesday at 2:00 PM there is a daily mass. On Sundays you can attend mass at 12:00 PM or 6:00 PM. Also the 28th of each month hosts special masses.
But its story stretches back further. The Templo de San Hipólito also known as the Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo Apostol is located at the crossroads of Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Hidalgo. This temple has become a pilgrimage site for Catholics.
Originally this site commemorated a darker event. It marked the Spanish defeat during the “Noche Triste” the Sad Night. Hernán Cortés ordered the construction of a hermitage. This commemorated the fallen Spaniards.
Over time the hermitage became the Templo de San Hipólito. Later it gained fame as the Templo de San Judas Tadeo. San Judas Tadeo’s image was placed here in 1982.
The façade presents a classicist style. It has three levels. The first level is the main entrance. It features a semicircular arch with highlighted foliage. Niches and Tuscan columns adorn the entrance.
The second level features Saint Hippolytus. He is carved in stone. Images of Saint Anthony Abbot and Saint Anthony of Padua flank him. The third level displays the Virgin Mary. She is depicted in a stained-glass window from the last century.
The temple has two towers. They are adorned with ajaracas on their surfaces. Cornices separate the base of the bell tower. The towers are rotated 45 degrees. This rotation sets them apart from the rest of the temple.
Inside the temple consists of a single nave. Arms create a Latin cross shape. Two domes cover the space. The walls and vaults consist of tezontle stone lime and song in the opus incertum style.
Here at the Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo Apostol history faith and devotion intertwine. This creates a unique spiritual experience. It is a place of solace and hope. The temple offers a glimpse into the heart of Mexico City’s religious life.