La Capilla

Amidst the tranquil countryside of Florencio Varela lies La Capilla. This isn’t just a quaint, semi-rural town. It’s a place where the echoes of Scottish settlers mingle with the whispers of Argentina’s history. La Capilla owes its very name to the St. John’s Presbyterian Church, a testament to the pioneering spirit that shaped this region. La Capilla, although part of Florencio Varela, retains a distinct identity, separate from the bustling metropolis of Greater Buenos Aires. Its history intertwines with the story of the Scottish settlers who arrived in 1825, led by the Robertson brothers. They sought land for sheep farming and agriculture, bringing with them their Presbyterian faith. Their agreement with the Argentine government marked a significant milestone: the first official recognition of religious freedom in the country. The settlers built their homes and a small chapel in Monte Grande. Their peace was disrupted by political conflicts, scattering the community to nearby areas. Some families, like the Davidsons, prospered. Juan Davidson and his wife, Margaret Campbell, donated land for a new church along the dirt road to Chascomús, today’s Ruta 53. This marked the beginning of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, designed in the Gothic style by Eduardo Taylor. La Capilla stands as a reminder of this unique chapter in Argentine history. The cornerstone was laid in 1854, a symbolic moment for the Scottish community. At the inauguration, Mr. Gilbert Ramsay declared the church “a legacy that shall not be lost.” Ironically, almost a century later, in 1953, St. John’s closed its doors, abandoned and eventually used as a vegetable shed. Despite being declared a Provincial Historical Monument in 1998, a fire in 2009 ravaged the church, destroying its roof and wooden door. While the physical structure suffered, the spirit of La Capilla and its Scottish heritage lives on. The town’s name, its location, and the remnants of St. John’s serve as a poignant reminder of a community that dared to dream in a new land, a testament to the enduring power of faith and heritage amidst the vast Argentine plains.