“Who was Francisco Laphiz?” someone asks as we stand before the Parroquia de San Francisco Javier. The church’s very name holds a tribute to this spiritual director of the Congregation of the Faith. It is located on Jorge Luis Borges street in the Palermo neighborhood.
Let’s rewind to the late 19th century. William Morris established an Argentine Evangelical School. This sparked a reaction from the local Catholic community. Archbishop Espinoza formed a commission of women. Florencia Garzoli de Peña led it. They aimed to build schools and temples. Their goal was to counter the rise of Protestantism. Father Juan Delheye from San Miguel supported them. Also Francisco Laphiz a priest from Bayonne.
In 1901, the Obra de la Conservación de la Fe began its work. Within a year, they built two temples. San Francisco Javier was one. The other was Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Initially, this temple was part of the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe parish. In 1913, it became its own parish.
Now about the construction of San Francisco Javier. Juan José Fortini and Benjamín Pedrotti were the architects. Fortini’s family came from Swiss-Italian roots. He studied in Zurich. Pedrotti an Italian immigrant needed to partner with Fortini. He could not get his university degree recognized. Together, they built the church and nearby buildings. These included the school and perhaps the parish house.
San Francisco Javier became a vice-parish in 1911. It gained full parish status in 1913. This happened alongside Nuestra Señora de Rosario and Santa Julia in Caballito.
Notice the classic facade. Two fluted columns stand tall. Three windows from the organ galleries catch your eye. To the left, a niche holds an image of Nuestra Señora de Luján. Above the windows a material cross rises. The front was updated in 2013.
Inside San Francisco Javier, a single nave reflects Italian design. Neoclassical moldings and Corinthian pilasters add detail. Statues of saints fill the space. San Lucas with a calf and San Mateo with an angel are in the organ gallery. Santa Teresita, San Roque and the Inmaculada Concepción are on the left nave. Nuestra Señora del Carmen, San Antonio de Padua and San Cayetano are on the right. Images of San Francisco Javier with a cross, the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and San José with the Child stand before stained glass windows.
Below the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, a small image of Nuestra Señora de Luján sits. It is under glass with a neoclassical marble canopy.
The Santísimo Sacramento is on the right side of the presbytery. It is within an alabaster and marble tabernacle. A lamp shines beside it. A medium-sized crucifix stands to the right.
Stained glass windows depict Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Santa Teresa and San Norberto. The door shows the San Francisco Javier family shield. Also the symbol of Ave María Purísima. The Texidor family donated these.
At the temple entrance, a wooden oak confessional stands. It has a carved Baroque door. A spiral wooden staircase connects the entrance to the choir.
So, as you explore San Francisco Javier remember its history. It is a testament to faith and community spirit.