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Chapel of Nuestra Señora Del Refugio (Our lady of the Sanctuary) 1955 |
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During many years there was only Church in Vallarta. At that time, it seemed to work sufficiently for the small group of local churchgoers. As the population started growing. Señor Reverend Rafael Parra saw the need of building another church. Reverend Parra first bid on the actual lot where the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Refugio is located at present, not knowing that Doctor José María Guillén had filed a petition to the Agrarian community for granting the same lot, which was formerly the old cemetery, to build new Health Center. The Agrarians granted the land to Guillén. The Doctor donated part of the lot to Father Parra for the construction of the new chapel. Parra for the construction of the new chapel. Parra immediately built an improvised rustic ramada on the lot and conducted his first mass service. The construction of the new chapel didn’t start until a few years later. A ceremony for breaking ground took place on July 4, 1960. Reverend Parra placed the first stone for the foundation of the new church. Reprentatives of Bishop of Tepic, Señor Reverend Don Manuel Piña, Reverend Benjamin Zavala, Father Parra and some other local people, attended the ceremony.
 A group of local ladies who lived in the area of the new church contributed with their hard work to complete the construction of the Holy Sanctuary. For many years, they worked long hours, earning the respect and admiration of the community. Since 1956, the meetings to discuss upcoming fundraiser events for the church have taken place at the house of local lady Adelita Güereña de Pérez, a highly regarded person in the community and President of the Committee. The fundraisers were subject of the meetings. The local ladies planed everything from fund collecting, to outdoor dinners, to bazaars and kermises. Among the names I want to recognize for their outstanding labor, were Cuca Fernández de Preciado, Pachita Zepeda, Veva de Fregoso, Lupe Carrillo de Preciado, Lola Nolasco de Galindo, Luz Cerna, and others. I must also mention the general contractors, hardworking men who worked non-stop under the heat to place each stone of the Holy Sanctuary. Among them were foreman Lino Mercado, and Jesús Dueñas, successor of Don Pedrito Alvarez. He has been the sexton for a long time. A few members of organizations such as CROM and CTM collaborated as well with the construction. Señora Conchita Pimienta de Quiroga donated the image of Saint Eduwiges. Lady María Lepe, a philanthropist, donated the image of Christ. May she rest in peace. Don Alfonso Siordia provided special funding for the construction of the altar.
Reverend Carlos Peña took over the Vicarship of the new chapel in 1965. He has always been considered an important leader and counselor to a vast group people. Father Peña is a well-educated man, and a highly regarded priest in the community. He is very active in church, and has proved to possess great leadership.
The beautiful gothic architecture of the interior and exterior of the church is a work-of-art from local Architect Tatiana Borioli de Diaz and Engineer Marcial Reséndiz Galván, who donated both their drawings and hard works to the church. The simplicity and beauty on the altar honors the Holy image of the Lady of the Sanctuary, who seems to be peacefully smiling at churchgoers. The facade has two small towers and there is a huge patio adjacent to the church. At the end of the patio is the sacristy. The chapel is very popular with both tourists and local people.
The completion of the church was also due to the valuable collaboration of the Christian community.
Every year, there are nine days of pre-celebrations to honor the festivity of Holy Lady of the Sanctuary. The festivities include food and candy stands outside the church, fireworks, and all sort of celebrations on an authentic Mexican folkloric style.
Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
Autobiografia de Doña Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
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Note: The segments from the book "Puerto Vallarta en mis Recuerdos" -both versions- are published in PVMirror.com with the express authorization of Sra. Yolanda Contreras de Garduño, co-author of the work and owner of the copyrights thereto. Any reproduction thereof, partial or total, in any medium is prohibited.
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