Parroquia San Sebastián

“A car for the Virgin Mary? Well, she doesn’t know how to drive!” chuckled a voice, echoing through the bustling plaza. This comical anecdote, my friends, is forever entangled with the history of the majestic Parroquia San Sebastián here in Cali. Now, pinpointing the exact birthdate of this grand dame is like chasing a mischievous ghost through centuries of Colombian tales. Records whisper of her existence as far back as the 17th century. Imagine a humble structure, draped in clay tiles, a far cry from the architectural marvel that graces our vision today. This original Parroquia San Sebastián braved time’s passage, weathering storms and tremors until the late 1890s. It was then that she received her first grand makeover, gaining a proud tower and some stylish renovations. But fate, it seems, had other plans. In ’62, a formidable earthquake shook Cali, leaving the Parroquia San Sebastián scarred and broken. This catastrophic event birthed the majestic structure we stand before today. Leading the charge was Father Héctor Sánchez Herrera, a man of God and interestingly, the proud owner of the famed “Piscinas del Padre”. To resurrect the Parroquia San Sebastián, Father Sánchez embarked on a series of fundraising escapades. This is where our comical anecdote circles back. Legend has it, he raffled off a Volkswagen, a symbol of prestige in those days. One devout parishioner, eager to please the heavens, bought numerous tickets in the name of the Virgin of Carmen. Lo and behold, the Virgin’s name was drawn! With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Father Sánchez declared, “Since the Virgin doesn’t know how to drive, the car is mine!” Construction of the new Parroquia San Sebastián began in ’65. The old structure was bid farewell, its tower dismantled, replaced by a completely new architectural vision. The Parroquia San Sebastián we see today, with its towering presence, is a testament to resilience, faith, and a touch of divine humor.