Consider the weight of history pressing down on this very spot. The Templo de San Fernando stands before us. It is a testament to faith and time. This Catholic temple is located in the Guerrero neighborhood. It stands next to the panteón of the same name. The Templo de San Fernando was once part of the Colegio Apostólico de Propaganda Fide de San Fernando. The Franciscans ran this college.
Missionaries trained here. They spread Christianity throughout New Spain. The Templo de San Fernando honors San Fernando Rey. Its architecture exemplifies the New Spanish Baroque style.
Let’s journey back to the 1730s. Missionaries from Querétaro wanted a college in Mexico City. In 1731, Viceroy Marqués de Casafuerte approved their plan. They bought land near the Mexico-Tacuba road. Construction began in 1735. It finished around 1751. Manuel Álvarez and José Eduardo de Herrera were the architects. José Joaquín de Sáyago crafted the altarpieces.
However, the Reform Laws of 1860 brought upheaval. The college was shut down. The church and library were looted. The beautiful altarpieces were destroyed. In the early 20th century, the choir stalls were moved. They went to the Basilica of Guadalupe. The college itself was completely demolished.
The Templo de San Fernando has suffered damage. The 2017 earthquake caused structural problems. Access to the temple and pantheon is currently prohibited.
The San Fernando Church and Cemetery is from the 18th-century. It sits on the edge of Avenida Hidalgo. From 1732 to 1871, the cemetery was open. The remains of Viceroys Matías Gálvez and Bernardo de Gálvez rest in the Church of San Fernando. Bernardo de Gálvez died in 1786 in Tacubaya. He was buried here soon after.
Many historical figures are buried in the courtyard. Vicente Guerrero and José Joaquín Herrera are among them. Martín Carrera, Santiago Xicoténcatl, and Francisco Zarco are here too. Miguel Miramón also rests here. Perhaps most famously, Benito Juárez and his wife Margarita Maza lie side by side.
The Franciscans built the temple. It showcases the Baroque style of New Spain. The Viceroy Marquis de Casafuerte authorized the school and church in 1735. The missionaries purchased land on the Mexico-Tacuba road for this purpose.
The Reform Laws of December 1860 changed everything. The school was evicted. The church and library were plundered. The church’s altarpieces were lost.
At the start of the 20th century, the choir stalls were removed. They went to the Basilica of Guadalupe. The school was completely torn down.
Today, the Templo de San Fernando offers a quiet escape. It is a peaceful contrast to the city’s bustle. Nearby, you can find the Church of San Hipólito. The Museo Nacional De San Carlos is also close.
The Templo de San Fernando stands as a reminder. It is a reminder of faith, art, and the ever-changing tides of history.