Ever wondered how a simple wish for a local place of worship transformed into the Cristo del Consuelo? It is quite a story.
Back in 1970 people from the Olímpico neighborhood found it hard to get to the Parroquia del Perpetuo Socorro. The roads were difficult. They needed a closer place to celebrate Mass.
The Parroquia Del Perpetuo Socorro was run by the Claretian Community. Father Francisco Arango listened to families living between Carrera 34 and Carrera 39 and streets 10 to 13. He understood their need.
So, Mass began in the garage of the Vega Rengifo family on Saturdays. More and more people came. They moved the service to the Escuela Anexa on Carrera 37 with 12 C. Priests like Antonio Arango and others helped. But problems with the school director forced another move.
In 1982 they found a spot at the polideportivo on Carrera 37 with Calle 12. While there they worked to get land on Carrera 39 with Calle 12. They got it through an agreement with the city of Cali. A small shelter was built for services.
Tragedy struck. Some homeless people burned the shelter down because they were not allowed to sleep there. Undeterred they built a bigger shelter. They organized events to raise money for a real church. On June 30 1985 they laid the first stone.
The Claretian community suggested the name Cristo del Consuelo. They had a sanctuary with the same name in Guayaquil Ecuador. A board was formed to oversee the chapel’s construction. It included Father Francisco Arango as president and Ángela Rengifo de Vega as treasurer.
The wooden image of Cristo del Consuelo came from Guayaquil Ecuador. Clímaco Enriquez was responsible for bringing the statue here.
The Archdiocese of Cali created the church and rectory plans. Architect Harold Vega began construction under Father Francisco Arango. Father Oscar Vélez continued the work until the church and rectory were complete.
In 1993 the Claretian community gave the Cristo del Consuelo to the Archdiocese of Cali. It became a parish on April 20 1993 by decree 535. It included neighborhoods from Carrera 39 to Carrera 56 and streets 10 to 13. These areas had belonged to the San Juan Bautista and Divino Niño parishes. Monsignor Pedro Rubiano Saenz named Father Raúl Candamil as the first parish priest.
Father Raul Candamil organized the new parish. Father Alberto Rico Patiño divided the parish into four sectors. He organized catechesis in schools. He started a choir for seniors. He also created a social ministry to help needy families.
Father Gabriel Arcángel Romero Huertas continued the work. He organized the parish choirs. He improved the offices sacristy and cafeteria. Twelve new benches were placed in the church. The electrical system was updated. Stained glass windows were added to the altar area. The sound system was improved. The altar was built. The side of the church and rectory were roofed. The sidewalk in front of the church was paved. Planters were built. The parish was fenced in and the green area was improved.
From its humble beginnings in a garage to the beautiful church we see today the Cristo del Consuelo stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community spirit.