Iglesia de San Andrés Tomatlán

Whispers of ancient Culhuacan echo around the Iglesia de San Andrés Tomatlán. This church isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to a neighborhood woven into the very fabric of Iztapalapa. San Andrés Tomatlán, one of Iztapalapa’s fifteen original settlements, has a story deeply intertwined with Culhuacan. Imagine a time long ago, around 600 CE, when Culhuacan was founded. Soon after, San Andrés Tomatlán emerged, likely built on chinampas, those ingenious artificial islands on the lake’s edge. The neighborhood nestled between the Canal Nacional and the Tláhuac Canal. This location shaped its destiny. Today, the revitalization of the Canal Nacional breathes new life into San Andrés Tomatlán. The church stands proudly, a symbol of resilience and rebirth. The Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol isn’t the first church to grace this spot. A painting from 1580, part of the Relación Geográfica, records an earlier chapel here. This project, commissioned by the Spanish crown, documented indigenous communities. As a result, 16th-century Culhuacan is remarkably well-documented. That older chapel, sadly demolished in the 1970s, resembled the Señor del Calvario Chapel north of the Culhuacan Center. The current Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol, started in 1979 and completed in the mid-1980s, became a parish church in 1987. Its modern design sets it apart. Yet, like every church in the Valley of Mexico, it possesses a unique character. The church’s image graces not only the neighborhood Metro station logo on Line 12 but also the arches welcoming visitors. These arches stand at the intersection of Avenida Tláhuac and Avenida Santa Ana, just past the Puente del Toro bridge over the Canal Nacional. The Iglesia de San Andrés Tomatlán isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a community hub, integral to the neighborhood’s year-round festivities. The winding streets surrounding the church whisper tales of a pre-conquest past. Many are too narrow for cars, preserving a glimpse into San Andrés Tomatlán’s ancient roots.