Santa Maria de los Angeles

“A sanctuary born from a chalet, can you imagine such a transformation?” I ask, gesturing towards Santa Maria de los Angeles. This magnificent church, nestled in the heart of Coghlan, Buenos Aires, began its life in the most unassuming way. In the early 20th century, Coghlan lacked a dedicated place of worship. Residents had to travel to neighboring parishes for religious services. This changed in July 1928, when two Capuchin friars, Padre Joaquín de Monterosso and Hermano Félix de Artegna, arrived from Montevideo to establish Santa Maria de los Angeles. They initially settled in a rented chalet on Congreso Street. The ground floor served as the oratory, while the upper floor became their living quarters. The first mass was celebrated on July 22nd, 1928, marking the official inauguration of Santa Maria de los Angeles. The early days were challenging. The friars relied on the kindness of various religious organizations for essential supplies. The Sisters of Loano and Mr. Rodolfo Scapino, a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, were among their earliest benefactors. The growing congregation soon outgrew the chalet. By November 1929, a small plot of land on Guayrá Street, near the current location of Santa Maria de los Angeles, was chosen as the site for a new church. A tiny 16-square-meter house on the property became a temporary chapel, supplemented by a donated railway tent to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. The friars lived in simple wooden barracks, demonstrating their humility and dedication. With the support of the first Pro-Temple Commission, formed by local residents, the construction of a larger chapel began. On April 6th, 1930, this new chapel was blessed and inaugurated by Monsignor Fortunato Devoto. During this ceremony, the first church bell, donated by Mrs. Irene McCarthy, was consecrated, and Padre Antonio de Monterosso was officially invested as the parish priest. Santa Maria de los Angeles continued to flourish under Padre Antonio’s leadership. He established the first Catholic Action Center in Argentina and launched a weekly publication, “Santa Maria de los Angeles,” to inform parishioners about church events and provide doctrinal articles. The final pages, written in Italian, catered to the large Italian immigrant population. The dream of an even grander church began to take shape. On December 8th, 1935, the cornerstone of the current Santa Maria de los Angeles was laid in a joyous ceremony led by the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Cortesi. The church was built under the patronage of Mary, Angels, in honor of the Basilica in Assisi and to commemorate the Lateran Treaty of 1929. Juan Pozzo, a generous benefactor from Genoa, played a vital role in funding the construction. Although the first mass was celebrated in the unfinished church in late 1937, construction was not fully completed until 1940. Santa Maria de los Angeles became a focal point of Coghlan, fostering not only spiritual but also social and cultural growth within the community.