Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz

Amidst the bustling cityscape of Buenos Aires, the Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz stands as a testament to faith and community. The story of this chapel begins not with grand pronouncements, but with humble beginnings. Cardinal Santiago Copello established the parish on July 25, 1954. It carved its territory from parts of the San José de Flores, Nuestra Señora de Luján Porteño, and Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria parishes. Operation began on January 1, 1955, under the guidance of Father José Lofano. He embarked on a mission to find a suitable plot of land to build a church. He discovered two overgrown lots on Pergamino Street. After clearing the area, he began celebrating open-air masses. Resources were scarce, so they utilized existing boundary walls, enclosed the back, and added a sheet metal roof. This makeshift structure became the first Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz. Today, this space is known as the “Salón Arco Iris,” a multipurpose hall. The Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz continued to evolve. A prefabricated house was purchased to serve as a secretariat. Later, the neighboring house on Falcón Street, a dilapidated apartment building, was acquired. Its rooms were converted into parish halls, and Father Lofano resided in one of them for many years. With this acquisition, the Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz was expanded on December 7, 1956. A generous family and the owner of a marble workshop, Francisco Troisi, donated a marble altar, communion rail, and baptismal font. The original baptismal font remains in use to this day. The adjacent property on Rivadavia Street eventually became available. Through donations, fundraising events, and prayer chains, the parish purchased it. This building housed the Parish School, and Father Lofano’s residence was built at the back. The arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Peace marked a significant moment. Until then, the chapel only had a painting of the advocation. The statue journeyed from Spain to Buenos Aires, spending a day at the Cathedral before arriving at the Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz. Construction of the permanent church began, prioritizing the already functioning Parish School. The concrete structure of the temple rose, and summer masses were celebrated within its unfinished walls. The Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz was completed and inaugurated on December 10, 1972. On July 24, 1983, Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu solemnly consecrated the temple. The property for the Secondary School was acquired in 1997. Today, the Capilla Nuestra Señora de la Paz continues to serve the community, with its school, various groups, charitable work, and regular masses.