Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel

“A century of echoes whispers within the Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel.” Here in Mexico City, in the Colonia San Rafael, stands a testament to time and transformation. The very neighborhood reflects this, shifting from “Colonia Arquitectos” in the 19th century to its current name. The Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel stands as a silent observer of this evolution. Around 1910, Spanish Benedictine monks erected a church on this very spot. It endured through the tumultuous years of the Mexican Revolution before finally being demolished. From its ashes rose a new sanctuary in 1921. Catalan architects José Verdager and Enrique Monet envisioned and built this new Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel. Inaugurated in 1925, the initial structure lacked its signature neo-Gothic facade, presenting a more austere wooden front. Years later, in 1943, architect Salvador Roncal y Gómez Palacio, a disciple of José Villagrán García, bestowed upon the Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel its distinctive neo-Gothic facade. However, the name of Nicolás Mariscal y Piña also surfaces in the church archives, adding a layer of intrigue to the story. The statue of Archangel Raphael, nestled amidst pointed arches, dominates the church’s front. This radiant facade sets the Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel apart from other churches in Mexico City. Its pure neo-Gothic style adds to the church’s unique charm. Dedicated not only to Archangel Raphael, the church also honors Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine order. The Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel retains beautiful original features despite modifications following the Second Vatican Council. The original Via Crucis, confessionals, choir, and organ still grace its interior. The spirit of the Benedictine monks, the echoes of their presence, can still be felt within these walls.