Didn’t Juana de Ibarbourou, the famous Uruguayan poetess, get married right here at Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso? It is also known as Iglesia de Tapes. The church stands as a testament to faith and architectural beauty. Located on Tapes Street in Montevideo’s Bella Vista neighborhood, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso is a Roman Catholic parish church with a rich history.
The story of this beautiful church began in 1888. The German Congregation of the Redemptorist Fathers settled in Bella Vista. Construction started in 1896. The first stone was laid on June 21. The church was officially opened in June 1899. Work on the interior continued until April 25, 1901.
Interestingly, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso is a replica. It is an improved copy of a church in Aachen, Germany. Sadly, the original church was destroyed during World War II in 1943. The interior decor of the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso was recognized as the most beautiful in the country. Four German artists from Aachen completed it in just six months.
The church is built in Neo-Romanesque style. This design was inspired by the German church in Aachen. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Saint Alphonsus. The parish was officially established on November 17, 1955. But its history stretches back further.
The Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso measures 47 meters long and 19 meters wide. Two spires rise 40 meters high. A large rose window adorns the front. Inside, the church has three naves. Eight black granite columns support them. These columns were carved in Aachen, Germany. Triple windows line the central nave. The side naves feature 22 stained glass windows. All these artistic vitreaux were brought from Germany.
The three altars have marble bases. Their carved cedar retables come from Belgium. A religious brother from the Redemptorist Congregation crafted the ceiling. Brother Joaquín also made the six confessionals from cedar. Each confessional took about a month to complete. The floor tiles were made by the Metlech factory in Germany. The Stations of the Cross are oil paintings by Tustet in Ratisbona.
Four high-reliefs depict Gethsemane, Resurrection, the Death of Saint Joseph, and the Descent from the Cross. The Meyer house of Munich created these. The first two are plaster. The last two are carved in wood. A historic image of Our Lady of the Rosary hangs on a side wall. The Spanish army surrendered before this image in 1814.
The four main bells were made in Hemeling. They weigh 1400, 825, 565, and 410 kilos. A Walcker organ from 1927 fills the church with music. The E. F. Walker & Co. of Ludwigsburg, Germany built it. It is known for high-quality materials and craftsmanship. This organ has 1625 pipes ranging from 3.5 meters to 9 centimeters in height.
The Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro y San Alfonso stands as a symbol. It embodies art, history, and religious devotion.