San Miguel Garicoits, Montevideo Explained

Building Name:Iglesia de San Miguel Garicoits
(Iglesia de los Vascos)
Location:Julio Herrera y Obes 1431
Montevideo,
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic
Consecration Year:1870
Status:Parish church
Architect:Víctor Rabú
Architecture Type:Church
Facade Direction:East

The Church of Saint Michael Garicoits (Spanish; Castilian: Iglesia de San Miguel Garicoits), popularly known as Iglesia de los Vascos (Spanish for "the church of the Basque people") is a Roman Catholic parish church in Montevideo, Uruguay.[1]

History

The origins of this temple date back to 1856, when the first Betharram Fathers arrived. An important part of the social and religious life of Basque immigrants was linked with this church for decades; services were held in Euskera back then.[2] The church, designed by French architect Víctor Rabú in eclectic historicist style,[3] was consecrated in 1870.

It is dedicated to their founder, St. Michael Garicoits,[4] and to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (f which there is a Latin inscription over the entrance).[5]

The parish was established on 30 October 1919.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: San Miguel Garicoits . Archdiocese of Montevideo . 30 March 2013 .
  2. Web site: Basque studies in Uruguay . 1 May 2013.
  3. Web site: Historicist fervor . 13 April 2003 . EL PAIS.
  4. Web site: Institutes of consecrated life in Uruguay . Archdiocese of Montevideo . 30 March 2013 .
  5. Web site: The Church of the Basque. 1 May 2013.