Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz

“A sanctuary of peace amidst the bustling city,” I begin, gesturing towards the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz. This unassuming yet beautiful church stands as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of its founders. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz wasn’t always the grand structure you see before you. Its story begins in 1954, with Cardinal Santiago Copello. He carved out a new parish from portions of San José de Flores, Nuestra Señora de Luján Porteño, and Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. Father José Lofano took on the task of finding a suitable location. He discovered two overgrown lots on Pergamino Street. After clearing the land, he began celebrating open-air masses. Resources were scarce, so they used the existing boundary walls, enclosed the back, and added a corrugated iron roof. This humble space became the first Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz. Today, it serves as the “Salón Arco Iris,” a multipurpose hall. Later, a prefabricated house was purchased to serve as the parish office. Years later, the neighboring house on Falcón Street was acquired, a dilapidated property that was converted into parish halls. Father Lofano lived in one of these rooms for many years. This acquisition also allowed for the expansion of the church in 1956. A generous family and Francisco Troisi, a marble craftsman, donated a marble altar, communion rail, and baptismal font. The baptismal font remains in use at Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz to this day. The arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Peace was a momentous occasion. Until then, the parish only had a painting of her. The statue arrived from Spain, spending a day in the Cathedral before being brought to Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz. When construction of the permanent church began, the school, already operating at full capacity, was prioritized. Later, the church’s construction commenced, starting with the concrete structure. For a few summers, mass was celebrated within these bare walls. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz was finally completed and inaugurated on December 10, 1972. It was consecrated by Cardinal Juan Carlos Aramburu on July 24, 1983. In 1997, the land for the secondary school was purchased. Today, Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz is a vibrant hub, home to a school, Catholic Action, a Scout group, Caritas, and various catechism classes. They also visit local nursing homes and offer home blessings within the parish. Masses are held throughout the week. Monsignor Lofano, the driving force behind Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Paz, passed away in 1985. His remains were later interred in the church, before the image of the Virgin he so cherished.