parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján

Gazing upon Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján, a sense of history unfolds. This isn’t just a church; it’s a testament to the dreams and devotion of a community. In the 1920s, the neighborhood, largely populated by immigrants, lacked a nearby parish. Driven by this need, they secured a small house on Remedios Street in 1927. Their vision: a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Luján. Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján began to take shape. As the community toiled, an unexpected opportunity arose. The city decided to widen Corrientes Street, necessitating the demolition of San Nicolás de Bari church. The priest envisioned a new sanctuary for the Virgin of Luján. Using salvaged materials and additional contributions, he joined forces with the Remedios Street group. Together, they purchased land on Francisco Bilbao Avenue, the current location of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján. They decided the exterior should echo the colonial style of the original Luján church, built in 1763. The interior would reflect the style of San Nicolás de Bari. In 1930, the parish relocated from Remedios Street to the unfinished building. To inspire further support, a statue of Our Lady of Luján was placed at San Nicolás de Bari for parishioners to leave donations. On June 1st, 1930, a procession carried the statue to its new home at Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján. It was placed in a bronze niche, the very one that held the image of the Immaculate Conception in the 1763 Luján church. The current Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján holds fascinating remnants of the past. The window grille and colonial portal on the left, facing the church, came from the demolished 1763 Luján church. The Virgin of Luján statue in the left vestibule is the one from the Remedios Street oratory. The statue of Our Lady of Sumampa is a replica of the one that traveled with the other statue in 1630. The chandeliers and sanctuary lamp originated from San Nicolás de Bari. This church is a physical embodiment of the neighborhood’s evolution. Later additions, like the primary school built in 1960 and the secondary school in 2000, underscore the ongoing commitment of Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Luján to community growth and spiritual development.