From these very stones a story unfolds. The Parroquia de San Ramón Nonato stands before you a testament to faith and family. This church in Puente de Vallecas wasn’t always a beacon of hope. Its origins trace back to 1903. Isidro Villota and Ramona de la Presilla built it. They dedicated this church to their son Ramón who died tragically young at 24.
Construction finished in 1907. The church was formally established in 1910. Don Antonio Calvo y Maestre became its first pastor. The Parroquia de San Ramón Nonato quickly became a center of the community. The Blessed Pilar Izquierdo Albero and Álvaro del Portillo gave catechism classes there. Both are now recognized as blesseds. Álvaro del Portillo was the first prelate of Opus Dei.
The Spanish Civil War brought darkness to this sacred space. The parish priest Don Emilio Franco and the sacristan were killed. Precious religious images including the original statue of the Virgin of Carmen vanished. The church became a garage a stark symbol of the war’s devastation.
After the war around 1939 new religious images were acquired. The current Virgin del Carmen and a Crucified Christ remain in the church. The Crucified Christ was the titular image of the Brotherhood of San Ramón until recently. It’s now kept in the parish. Among its historical pastors was Don Francisco Navarrete. He served as Rector of the Seminary of Madrid.
The Parroquia de San Ramón Nonato celebrated its centennial in 2010. Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela presided over a special Mass. Today the church is more than just a place of worship. It serves as a vital community center offering food support and shelter.
Father José Manuel Horcajo’s arrival marked a new era. He transformed the Parroquia de San Ramón Nonato. The church is now open from 730 am to 930 pm. It offers a haven for the needy and the lost. The church’s open doors serve as a powerful symbol of welcome and acceptance. Father Horcajo and his volunteers work tirelessly to provide food shelter and spiritual guidance. The Parroquia de San Ramón Nonato truly embodies the spirit of compassion and service. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith hope and community.