The aged stones whisper secrets. This is the Parroquia Santísimo Redentor. It stands proudly in Recoleta a neighbourhood brimming with history.
Built in 1928 by Monseñor Bottaro this church has a much longer story. Long before the current structure stood. Neighbours donated funds in 1889 to build a convent. This was for the Visitation Sisters. They were founded centuries earlier in 1556 by Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane Frances de Chantal.
In 1929 the sisters entrusted the chapel to the Lourdes Fathers. They oversaw services. They also added the stunning Lourdes grotto. This sits serenely in the entrance courtyard. It provides a peaceful space. The sisters later moved. The Lourdes Fathers remained. They opened a school for boys. This was under the patronage of Saint Michael.
The church was renovated in 1913. Its structure remains largely unchanged. Inside three exquisite altars captivate. They are crafted from intricately carved oak and marble. One features a polychrome statue of San Martín. Another displays San Agustín. The main altar is magnificent. It features a relief of the Holy Trinity. The central image is the Redeemer. Flanking it are polychrome statues. One is of Saint Joseph. The other depicts Our Lady of Lourdes. The lower level simply holds Our Lady of Luján.
Every stained-glass window is symbolic. They depict Christian themes. Two stand out. One shows the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The other is filled with fleurs-de-lis. The large window above the organ gallery. It depicts the apparition of Lourdes.
The Parroquia Santísimo Redentor isn’t just a church. It’s a living testament. It’s to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of a community. It invites you to reflect. It beckons you to find solace within its walls. It invites you to explore its beauty.