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San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)
 

Temple of the Immaculate Conception

San Miguel de Allende - El Corazón de México

 
 
Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, February 25, 2019
1. Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker
In 2018 this marker replaced a previous marker with very similar Spanish text.
Inscription.  

Templo de la Purísima Concepción
(Templo de las Monjas)

Es parte del proyecto constructivo iniciado a mediados del siglo XVII, a iniciativa de Sor María Josefa Lina de la Canal y Hervás (1736-1770), quien invirtió el caudal heredado de sus padres Manuel Tomás de la Canal y María de Hervás y Flores, para fundar un convento e iglesia dedicada a la Purísima Concepción de María. Para la fábrica de estos inmuebles, se recomendó al maestro en arquitectura Francisco Martínez Gudiño, vecino de la ciudad de Santiago de Querétaro; apoyado por el talento de tres originarios de la villa de San Miguel el Grande: Pedro Joaquín de Tapia y Salvador Antonio Hernández, ambos alarifes (maestros de obras), así como de alférez Francisco de Lara Villagómez, de notoria práctica en diversas obras arquitectónicas de la región. Los planes no se hicieron esperar, pues inmediatamente a la propuesta hecha en 1752 acerca del equipo que sería responsable de la fábrica, fueron trazadas las medidas del conjunto religioso sobre un antiguo y estratégico solar, en el cual habiendo delineado proporciones, distancias y gruesos de paredes, resultaba una
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iglesia de 61 varas de largo (52 m), 11 varas de ancho (9.21 m) y 16.5 varas de alto (14 m), correspondiendo a una proporción “sexquilátera.” Al cuerpo principal, se anexó el alto y bajo coro de 16 varas de largo (13.5 m), dos pasadizos generales, escalera, sacristía interior y exterior, y por encima de éstas últimas, un “niñado.”

Los trabajos iniciaron hacia el año de 1755. Una década después se inauguró el convento, aunque con grandes ausencias estructurales en el templo: torre, campanario, presbiterio, altares y cúpula, mismos que se concluyeron entre las décadas de 1840 y 1890.

La enorme cúpula que ostenta el templo de la Concepción es resultado de las aspiraciones artísticas de Zeferino Gutiérrez, el gran constructor sanmiguelense del siglo XIX, adaptando en el edificio la monumentalidad y solidez de la iglesia de los Inválidos de París.

El interior es impresionante por sus magnitudes y la sobriedad que impone el estilo neoclásico del altar mayor. Sobresalen en el complejo, las fuertes rejas del alto y bajo coro, donde se resguarda un retablo de talla dorada que fue obsequiado por uno de los benefactores del siglo XVIII, el conde de Casa de Loja.

Posee una valiosa colección pictórica, producto del pincel de importantes escuelas y pintores novohispanos entre ellos Miguel Cabrera, Juan Rodríguez Juárez, Jesús Gómez y Miguel
Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker English text image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, February 25, 2019
2. Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker English text
In 2018 this marker replaced a previous marker that did not have English text.
Antonio Martínez de Pocasange.

Fuentes:
Archivo General de Indias, Sevilla; México, 1061.
Archivo General de la Nación, Real Cédulas Originales, Vol. 74, Exp. 65.
Archivo Manuel Castañeda, Casa de Morelos, Diocesano, Gobierno, Visitas, Informes, Siglo XVIII, San Miguel el Grande, Año de 1766, 0215, Caja 503, Exp. 64.
Investigación: Graciela Cruz López


English:
Temple of the Immaculate Conception
(Temple of the Nuns)

It is part of the constructive project started in the middle of the 18th century, at the initiative of Sister María Josefa Lina de la Canal y Hervás (1736-1770), who invested the wealth inherited from her parents Manuel Tomás de la Canal and María de Hervás y Flores, to found a convent and church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

For the building of these properties, the master in Architecture Francisco Martínez Gudiño was recommended neighbor of the city of Santiago de Querétaro; supported by the talent of three artists from the villa of San Miguel el Grande: Pedro Joaquín de Tapia and Salvador Antonio Hernández, both of them bremen (master builders) as well as the assistant Francisco de Lara Villagómez, of notorious practice in various architectural works of the region.

The plans were not made to wait, because immediately after the proposal made in 1752
The previous Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
3. The previous Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker
about the team that would be responsible for the building, the measures of the religious ensemble were drawn on an old and strategic plot, in which having delineated proportions, distances and thicknesses of walls, the result was a church of 61 rods of length (52 m), 11 Rods of width (9.21 m) and 16.5 rods of height (14 m), corresponding to a proportion “sixequilateral.” To the main body the high and low choir of 16 rods length (13.5 m), two general passageways, staircase, inner and outer sacristy, and above the latter a “nursery” were adjoined.

The work began in 1755. A decade later the conven was inaugurated, although with large structural absences in the temple; tower, belfry, presbytery, altars and cupola, which were concluded between the 1840s and 1890s.

The enormous cupola of the Temple of Conception is the result of the artistic aspirations of Zeferino Gutiérrez, the great builder of San Miguel of the 19th century, adapting in the building the monumentality and solidity of the Church of the Invalids of Paris.

The interior is impressive because of its magnitudes and the sobriety that imposes the neoclassical style of the main altar. The strong bars of the upper and lower choir emerge in the complex, where an altarpiece of gilded carving is shielded, which was given by one of the benefactors of the 18th century, the Count of
Additional marker on the 500th anniversary of the Order of the Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
4. Additional marker on the 500th anniversary of the Order of the Immaculate Conception
This additional marker is to the right of the entrance to the temple. It reads:
“Magnificat ánima Dóminum”
1511-2011
5º Centenario
de la aprobación de la regla de la Orden de la Inmaculada Concepción
17 de Septiembre
Lic. Luz María Núñez Flores, Presidente Municipal, el Honorable Ayuntamiento del Bicentenario 2009-2012 y el puebo sanmiguelense felicitan a las hermanas concepcionistas de esta ciudad.
Casa de Loja.

It possesses a valuable pictorial collection, product of the brush of important novohispanic school and painters, among them Miguel Cabrera, Juan Rodríguez Juárez, Jesús Gómez and Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasange.

Sources repeated in Spanish
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & ReligionColonial EraMan-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1752.
 
Location. 20° 54.873′ N, 100° 44.745′ W. Marker is in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Marker is on Calle de Canal just north of Calle Zacateros, on the right when traveling west. The marker is to the left of the entrance to the Temple of the Most Pure Conception (El Templo de la Purísima Concepción). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Miguel de Allende GTO 37700, Mexico. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Remains of the Insurgents (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Temple of the Immaculate Conception (within shouting distance of this marker); Ignacio Ramírez “El Nigromante” Cultural Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Carmen Masip Echazarreta (within shouting distance of this marker); José María de Jesús Diez de Sollano y Dávalos (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct
An additional marker to Josefa de la Canal, founder of the convent image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 11, 2017
5. An additional marker to Josefa de la Canal, founder of the convent
This additional marker is to the left of the church's entryway. It reads:

La Azucena de San Miguel
1736 – 1986
A la Pbr. M. Sor Maria Josefa Lina de la Canal
Fundadora de este convento
en los 250 años de su
nacimiento. Las RR. MM. Concepcionistas y el pueblo de San Miguel.

English translation:
The Lily of San Miguel
1736 – 1986
To Maria Josefa Lina de la Canal
Founder of this convent, on the 250th anniversary of her birth. From the Concepcionists and the people of San Miguel.
line); The Heroes' Bridge (about 90 meters away); The Francisco I. Madero Fountain (about 120 meters away); House of Juan Umarán (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Miguel de Allende.
 
The previous Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
6. The previous Temple of the Immaculate Conception Marker
The previous marker was to the left of the entrance to the Temple. To the right of the entrance is an additional marker celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Order of Immaculate Conception. Note the dome of the temple, mentioned in the marker text.
Temple of the Immaculate Conception and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, February 25, 2019
7. Temple of the Immaculate Conception and Marker
The Neoclassical-style altar of the Temple of the Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
8. The Neoclassical-style altar of the Temple of the Immaculate Conception
Examples of the colonial-era artwork at the Temple of the Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
9. Examples of the colonial-era artwork at the Temple of the Immaculate Conception
An additional view of the altar of the Temple of the Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, February 25, 2019
10. An additional view of the altar of the Temple of the Immaculate Conception
Written sayings at the entrance to The Temple of the Immaculate Conception image. Click for full size.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 8, 2016
11. Written sayings at the entrance to The Temple of the Immaculate Conception
The church is famous for a series of painted signs that represent sayings, mostly related to morality. One seen here near the entryway says "Jusgar un hecho ageno, mete la mano en tu seno" ("Think of what God has done for you before judging others.")
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   3, 4. submitted on November 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   5. submitted on July 13, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   6. submitted on November 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   7. submitted on April 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   8, 9. submitted on November 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   10. submitted on April 7, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.   11. submitted on November 29, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.

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Apr. 26, 2024