Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José

Did the name José Antonio de la Garza Saldívar ever cross your path? Probably not. But right here, before the Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José, his legacy endures. This small chapel, nestled within the modern Macro Plaza of Monterrey, holds a story as unique as its architecture. The Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José wasn’t built by a king or a wealthy merchant, but from a simple clause in a will. José Antonio de la Garza Saldívar, a devout man, bequeathed a portion of his estate for its construction. His widow, honoring his wishes, oversaw the project between 1830 and 1850, right on family land. The chapel, built with local sillar and wooden beams, stands as a testament to their faith. Its design is a blend of styles. The eastern wall, facing Dr. Coss street, is a solid expanse of sillar, topped with a Spanish cornice and a barrel vault. The western section, towards Zuazua street, connects via a semi-circular arch, supported by wooden beams and covered with a flat roof. The Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José also features a unique entrance. A double wooden door, flanked by rectangular pillars and topped by a molded arch. Two plain rectangular pinnacles adorn the facade. The central body has pillars and capitals supporting a smooth entablature. Look closely at the frontispiece and notice the circular recesses at the edges. Although a private chapel for the Garza Saldívar family, the Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José opened to the public. Priests from the Metropolitan Cathedral held regular services. This continued for decades, into the early 20th century. The chapel’s bells, however, were removed and placed in the Church of Our Lady of Light, east of the city. Sadly, during the Cristero War in 1928, the chapel closed. It was then repurposed, first as a library, then a storage room. Yet, its historical significance wasn’t forgotten. In 1938, Lázaro Cárdenas’ government listed the Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José as National Heritage. It was later rescued by Governor Alfonso Martínez Domínguez during the construction of the Macroplaza. In 1985, the state ceded the chapel to the Archdiocese of Monterrey, and a major restoration began. Doña Rosario Garza Sada de Zambrano provided crucial private support. The Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José reopened to the public in 1989, resuming religious services. Today, this chapel stands as a reminder of Monterrey’s colonial past. A quiet haven amidst the bustling city, the Capilla de los Dulces Nombres de Jesús, María y José invites you to pause and reflect. Its simple elegance whispers stories of faith, family, and the enduring power of a final wish.