Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth

Did the name Petrona Coronell de Lamarca ever cross your mind as you approached the Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth? Probably not. Yet, her compassion laid the foundation for this very sanctuary. In 1874, Coronell de Lamarca, driven by a deep concern for the vulnerable, founded the Sociedad de San José. This organization aimed to provide support and shelter to those struggling with poverty. The Sociedad de San José had already initiated several projects when a significant turning point occurred. Dámasa Zelaya de Saavedra generously donated two blocks of land in the then-remote Saavedra neighborhood. This land became the site for a new home, later named after her late husband, Luis María Saavedra. The Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth shares its history with this Hogar Luis María Saavedra. The construction of the home, designed by French architect René Sergent and executed by Lanús and Hary, unfolded between 1927 and 1934. The complex of pavilions revolves around a central garden patio, reminiscent of a classic cloister. Within this tranquil space stands a statue of the Sacred Heart, donated by Ernestina Llavallol de Acosta. Now, let’s turn our attention to the Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth itself. The church, initially the chapel for the Hogar, was funded by María Jáuregui de Pradere. Its foundation stone was laid in 1927. In 1928, through an agreement with the Archdiocese, the Sociedad de San José ceded the temple to establish the new parish. The Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth officially began its service on January 1, 1929. The church, designed in a neo-Romanesque style, exudes the elegance of a traditional two-story palace chapel. Inside, a sense of austerity prevails, but look closely. Adorning the interior is a collection of terracotta images by French sculptor Jules-Édouard Visseaux. The most striking piece is the triple sculpture on the main altar. It depicts the Holy Family in the Bethlehem manger, illuminated by the Divine eye, its rays descending in luminous stained-glass windows. Flanking this scene are two sculpted guardian angels, adding to the dramatic impact. Visseaux’s artistry extends throughout the Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth, with statues of Saint Joseph and the Child, Saint Roch, Saint Anthony of Padua with the Child, and Saint Therese of Lisieux. A noteworthy wooden pulpit, crafted in Buenos Aires based on Parisian designs, graces the left side of the central nave. Its intricately carved canopy symbolizes the Holy Spirit emanating its seven gifts, while carvings on the sides represent the Passion. The church also houses several altars, each with its own artistic representation, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the Sacred Heart, the Holy Christ, and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Look around. You will find images of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Padre Pio, the Divine Child, Saint Joseph, the Holy Family, and Saint Michael the Archangel, each contributing to the rich spiritual atmosphere of the Parroquia Sagrada Familia de Nazareth.