The scent of incense hangs heavy in the air. A comforting warmth emanates from the Parroquia Nuestra Sra del Valle La Cripta. This isn’t just any church. It’s a place steeped in history a living testament to faith and community.
The Parroquia Nuestra Sra del Valle La Cripta wasn’t always this grand structure. It began life in 1920 as a humble chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. This small chapel was initially under the care of the San Jeronimo parish. By 1935 it fell under the jurisdiction of the San Jose parish in Barrio San Martin. Its boundaries bordered the Nuestra Señora del Carmen parish in Villa Allende established in 1914. A complex history of shifting boundaries and evolving parishes is part of this church’s fascinating past.
This original chapel known as the Capilla de La Tablada was built by Ignacio Guillermo Aliaga. He inherited the land in 1909. He first constructed a grotto. Sadly it was destroyed by a flood. He then built the chapel itself. Upon his death in 1922 he bequeathed the land and chapel to the Bishopric in 1924.
The church we see today wasn’t built until later. On December 31 1953 Monsignor Fermin Lafitte officially established the Parroquia Nuestra Sra del Valle. The current church building was finally consecrated on August 15 1957. The image of the Virgin of the Valley was moved from the old chapel to the new location. This image donated in 1953 by Leonor Leiva Castro wife of the former governor of Cordoba. It gave the parish its name. Interestingly the parish still celebrates the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.
The Parroquia Nuestra Sra del Valle La Cripta didn’t just grow in size. It developed its educational and outreach programs. In 1958 Father Hector Bertaina Le Floch established a school within the parish. This school has grown over time to include primary secondary and even higher education levels. The parish continues to serve its community a testament to its enduring spirit.
So stand here. Let the history of the Parroquia Nuestra Sra del Valle La Cripta wash over you. Feel the weight of its past. Recognize the strength of its faith. Understand the significance of its contribution to this vibrant community. It’s more than just a building. It’s a story waiting to be rediscovered a legacy that continues to thrive.