“The old church was a beautiful building” Father Cayetano Domingo Curia once said. He was the parish priest of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje from 1952 to 1970. This wasn’t just any church. It held a special place in the hearts of the Nuñez neighborhood. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje stood tall with high brick walls and a tiled roof. It was located on Avenida del Libertador. This was before the avenue was renamed. It was once known as Blandengues. Travelers heading north out of the city often prayed to the Virgin of Luján for a safe journey. This is where the church got its “Buen Viaje” addition to its name.
The church was more than just bricks and mortar. It had witnessed history. It bore the scars of the “Battle of Blandengues” during the 1943 revolution. Bullet marks still marred its facade. Some cadets had sought refuge within its walls. Others fell right outside its doors. For years afterwards it was even known as the “Expiatory Temple of Our Lady of Luján del Buen Viaje”.
Life at the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje wasn’t always easy. The old building faced structural issues. The low-lying area prone to flooding damaged its foundations. As the neighborhood grew the church found itself in a less central location. It needed to move.
In 1963 the church moved. Its new location was on Ramallo Street. The original building was sold to Atma a local factory. It became a warehouse then later was bought for a real estate project. Raising the funds for the new church wasn’t easy. A more affordable plot was found on Grecia Street. The cornerstone of the current building was laid in 1968.
Many priests served the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje. Father José Salvador Torquiaro oversaw the completion of the new building. Father Julio César Donato de Gregorio continued the parish’s growth. His humility and dedication inspired the founding of the Our Lady of Luján del Buen Viaje Scout Group in 1977. Father Claudio Omar Uassouf later encouraged outreach programs. He led living Way of the Cross processions through the neighborhood.
Today the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje stands on Grecia Street. It’s a testament to faith community and resilience. The church has continued to grow and adapt. It continues its mission in the Nuñez neighborhood. Its story is one of faith perseverance and community spirit. The Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján del Buen Viaje is a vibrant part of Buenos Aires history. It remains a place of worship and hope for all who enter.