“Can you believe this small chapel stands as a landmark?” That’s what people often say about the Capilla Casa Provincial. Its story starts in an area that was once full of farms. Now, it is part of the city. However, it still has hints of its early days.
The Capilla Casa Provincial sits high up. This makes it easy to spot from different places. People see it as a key part of the Atahualpa and Aires Puros areas. The views from Vaz Ferreira Street are especially nice. You can see the Capilla Casa Provincial clearly.
The Jackson family built it as a small place for prayer. It was on their property which used to be Larrañaga’s farm. Around this farm, the Atahualpa neighborhood grew. It had big houses with large gardens.
The Capilla Casa Provincial has a Gothic style. This gives it a special feel. It fits with the romantic spirit of the late 19th-century homes. The design shows the mix of styles common when it was built. This makes it an interesting piece of architecture.
Inside, the Capilla Casa Provincial has just one main area. From the outside, it looks like it has a crossing section. This is because of two sacristies added to it. A tall tower rises from the main front wall. It ends in a fancy spire.
Dominican friars arrived in Montevideo from Santa Fe Argentina in 1936. They wanted to start a convent. In April 1937, they officially created it naming it “Nuestra Señora del Rosario”. The chapel became “Parroquia de la Santísima Trinidad” in June. A primary school started there in 1949.
The friars had work in the city center. Their location about ten kilometers away made them think about a new location. Work began in 1941 and the “Convento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario” moved in March 1942. The original site became “Casa de la Santísima Trinidad”.
The first stone of the new church was laid in August 1943. It was dedicated to “Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Pompeya”. The Master of the Order made the Convento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario a separate house in 1997.
The Capilla Casa Provincial stands as a testament. It shows how faith and community can shape a place. Its history links to the Dominican friars. Their work in Montevideo has left a lasting mark. As you leave this place take a moment to appreciate its enduring spirit.