Beneath those towering spires, can you imagine the fervent prayers that have ascended from within the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de María over the decades? This church is a notable Catholic temple at the northern edge of Plaza Constitución in Buenos Aires. It stands as the Claretian Order’s city seat.
Let’s dive into the story of this iconic church. Its history began with a generous donation. Around 1905 Doña Julia Merchante donated land facing Plaza de la Constitución. She wanted the Claretian missionaries to build a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary. The order settled there on August 14. However construction took several years.
The cornerstone was laid on May 21 1914. Bishop Espinosa presided over the ceremony. Brother Luis Echavarri designed the church. Rómulo Ayerza signed the plans. Construction progressed slowly. The F Mayer house of Munich was commissioned to create nine stained glass windows for the temple. The E F Walker house provided an organ with 2000 pipes. It is one of the few of its kind still in Buenos Aires.
The Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de María was inaugurated on April 17 1923. The Auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala José María Piñol y Bartres blessed the church. Monsignor Agustín Piaggio President Marcelo T de Alvear his wife Regina Pacini de Alvear Mayor Carlos Noel the Spanish ambassador and architect Rómulo Ayerza attended.
Yet the work was not complete. The crosses atop the 53-meter towers were installed around 1926. The main altar was installed in 1941. This marked the completion of the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de María. It was established as a parish on October 12 1928.
From 1937 construction began on Avenida 9 de Julio. This is Buenos Aires’ widest avenue and a city icon. It aimed to connect Constitución with Retiro via a wide green space. The Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón was on the planned route. Although Avenida 9 de Julio did not reach Plaza Constitución until 1975 faithful members resisted expropriation and demolition. The temple remained standing isolated on a small block. The surrounding buildings were demolished.
In 1978 Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore presented an ambitious project. It involved a network of nine elevated highways across Buenos Aires. One extension of Avenida 9 de Julio towards Puente Pueyrredón would connect with Autopista 25 de Mayo right where the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón stood. Again community opposition prevented expropriation.
The Autopista Frondizi was built. The temple was isolated at one end of Plaza Constitución next to the embankment supporting the highway. Vibrations from the highway over twenty years plus those from subway line C since 1934 accelerated the church’s deterioration. The concrete crumbled exposing rusting iron in the towers. In 2006 the city government ordered the Claretian order to take action. In 2008 they removed the iron crosses from the towers. One was visibly leaning and about to fall.
After removing the crosses the Claretian order sought donations for restoration. Since the temple is not a National Historic Monument it did not receive national funds. However it did get contributions from the city government. Restoration began in mid-2010. It focused on the facade and towers which received lighter versions of the iron crosses. Work stopped in June 2011 due to lack of funds. The architectural firm Frías Ayerza Butler oversaw the first phase which ended in November that year.
So as you stand before the Iglesia del Inmaculado Corazón de María consider its resilience. It has survived donations construction challenges and threats of demolition. This church stands as a testament to faith and community.