Hidden behind a seemingly unremarkable facade stands the Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar. This unassuming exterior belies the breathtaking Baroque opulence within. This small church is more than just a place of worship. It’s a living testament to the dedication of Mother Maria Ignacia Alzor. A woman who dedicated her life to educating girls.
The Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar was founded by Mother Maria Ignacia Alzor. She belonged to the Company of Mary Our Lady. Her vision was to create a school and convent for young women. She acquired two houses on what is now Donceles Street. Between these houses the church was built. This limited space dictated the unique dimensions of the building. The architects Francisco Antonio Guerrero y Torres and Friar Lucas de Jesús María cleverly adapted to these constraints. The result is a masterpiece of Mexican Churrigueresque style.
Construction of the Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar spanned from 1772 to 1778. The church was consecrated in 1778. Its patrons are Our Lady of the Pillar and Saint John of Nepomuk. Remarkably relics used in the consecration included a fingerbone of Saint John a gold statue and a shroud that had touched the Shroud of Turin. A wooden statue of Our Lady of the Pillar inherited by Mother Maria Ignacia from her mother was placed on the main altar.
The name La Enseñanza meaning The Teaching comes from the convent’s main mission. It was to educate young girls. Over time the convent school gained prestige. The most privileged families of New Spain sent their daughters there. The school also educated girls from humbler backgrounds particularly in needlework.
After Mother Maria Ignacia’s death in 1767 she was interred in the church’s communion altar. The Reform War in 1867 saw the convent closed. It was initially used as a prison. Later it housed the Palace of Justice the General Notary Archive and the Ministry of Education’s offices.
The Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar’s exterior may be understated. Its interior however is a vibrant display of Mexican Churrigueresque style. Natural light highlights the gold details of the altarpieces. The main altarpiece features images of the Holy Sacrament Our Lady of the Pillar Ignatius of Loyola and Benedict of Nursia. These sculptures are made of glue-soaked cloth.
The church has six side altarpieces all done in the 18th-century style. Two choirs flank the main altar. Lattice-work screens shielded the nuns from the gaze of commoners during services. Above these choirs are paintings of the Assumption of Mary and the Immaculate Conception.
The Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar was declared a national monument on February 9 1931. It was refurbished between 1963 and 1969. Since 1984 it has been under the care of the Order of the Missionaries of the Eucharist of Nazareth. They provide services and maintain the building. This Capilla de San José y de Nuestra Señora Del Pilar is more than just a building. It is a powerful symbol of faith education and resilience. Its story lives on within its walls.