Remember those first pastoral movements? The story of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Piedad begins not as a centrally located temple, but as a response to a pastoral movement. This movement aimed to bring religious services to the outskirts of Buenos Aires in the mid-18th century.
Now, look at this location. Today, the Iglesia de La Piedad stands near the National Congress. Bartolomé Mitre crosses with Paraná here. Yet, its origins lie in serving a community far removed from the city’s center.
Manuel Gómez owned land near what is now Congress in the 1700s. He had a house with an oratory for his family and servants. When illness prevented him from traveling, he asked the bishop for permission to celebrate Mass in his oratory. Permission was granted in 1752.
Gómez and his wife, María Francisca Fernández, sought permission to build a church in 1762. They wanted to construct a proper temple with bricks and tiles. They also requested it be named a parish. They wished to venerate their image of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad del Monte Calvario. The permission was granted, and the church was built.
Bishop Manuel Antonio de la Torre created the first parishes in Buenos Aires in 1769. La Piedad was among them. Previously, only the Cathedral served as the sole parish. La Piedad temple was consecrated on December 12, 1769.
The current temple started construction in 1866. The old one was deteriorating and costly to repair. Father Apolinario Larrosa spearheaded the project. It was completed in the early 1900s.
Gallardo sponsored the first part of the construction. General Julio A. Roca and Mauricia Pereira sponsored the second part, blessed in 1895. Architect Canale designed the building, later modified by J. Buschiazzo. The altar was designed in Carrara, Italy. Its marbles came from there. The image of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad is a replica from the Siena cemetery in Italy. Archbishop Mariano Espinosa consecrated the altar.
La Piedad was one of the first parishes to separate from the Buenos Aires Cathedral in 1769. Its boundaries included Paraguay Street to the north. San Carlos Street, now Alsina, was its southern border. Uruguay Street marked the east. The west extended to the “zona de chacras” near Ayacucho-Sarandí streets. The land belonged to Manuel Gomes. The new Iglesia de la Piedad replaced a dilapidated one on the same site. It was completed in 1895.
The church also holds historical significance beyond its architecture. María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, Mama Antula, frequented this temple. She was buried in the parish cemetery in 1799. Her tomb remained hidden until 1867. Now, she has a mausoleum inside the temple.
Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Piedad stands as a testament to faith and community. Its history reflects the growth of Buenos Aires. It also shows the enduring power of religious devotion. The temple continues to be a place of prayer and reflection. Its doors are open to all who seek solace and inspiration.