Remember Beatriz de Miranda. It was she who funded the construction of this temple. The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Balvanera stands before us. It is southeast of Mexico City’s main plaza. We are at the corner of Correo Mayor and República de Uruguay. This is the historic center.
Originally, it was part of the Convent of Santo Niño Perdido. The convent was founded in 1573. Later, in the 17th century, it became a Conceptionist convent. The church and convent were rebuilt in 1667. That is when it received its current name.
In 1861, the Reform Laws forced the nuns to leave. The cloister and other buildings were demolished. The main altar was nearly destroyed in the 19th century. This happened during political struggles. However, the oil painting of the Black Virgin of Valvanera survived.
This church gained recognition as a historic monument. This occurred on August 30, 1932. Today, Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Balvanera serves as the cathedral. It is for the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of the Martyrs of Lebanon in Mexico.
Look at the Baroque style of the church. The main entrance is on the side. This was common for convents in Mexico. Notice the bell tower. It is covered in tile from Puebla. Only this church and the Iglesia de La Encarnación share this feature.
The facade is made of tezontle. Five buttresses divide it. An entablature tops it. It features a frieze. The frieze displays anagrams of Jesus and Mary. The portals each have two levels of decoration.
Inside Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Balvanera the main altar is Neoclassical. It is made of stone. The oil painting of Nuestra Señora de Balvanera dates back to the 17th century. A Maronite church donated it along with the sculptures. The sacristy holds paintings by Carlos Clemente Lopez. These paintings date from 1750.
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Balvanera we see today is the result of many changes. It combines Baroque and Neoclassical elements. The twin portals were added in the early 19th century.
In 1929, the demolition of the cloister began. The church was completed in 1671. Its style is simple Baroque. The community Maronita currently runs the temple. This place has been a monument for a long time.
Remember this spot. Consider the history within these walls of the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Balvanera. It has survived political upheaval and architectural transitions. It stands as a testament to faith.