The history of the parish of Santa Bárbara Doncella goes back, like most of the memories of Santa Rosalía, to the establishment of the El Boleo mining company at the end of the 19th century.
Chroniclers say that in 1895, some Catholic ladies visited the director of the French company, requesting a temple for the city that was being born. With the order pending, he traveled on business to Belgium, where he discovered the perfect temple with the ideal dimensions. It is a prefabricated metal structure to assemble and ready to travel.
Consequently, it was acquired by the company, shipped to Santa Rosalía and installed at the end of 1897 in what we know today as the historic center of the city.
The Eiffel Church
It should be noted that the authorship of the building is attributed to the renowned French engineer Gustave Eiffel, the same one who designed the tower of the same name in the French capital. It is said that the temple was presented at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889, as a prototype intended for the French colonies in Africa.
Eiffel had the challenge of presenting a metal temple to replace those built in wood on the African continent, where they were devoured by ants.
The parish of Santa Bárbara Doncella, an austere beauty
Santa Bárbara is considered the first prefabricated church to be installed in Mexico. Likewise, it is made up of sheet metal roofs, metal walls fixed with bolts and a huge structure, also made of metal, that supports the building.
Despite having lost several of its original stained glass windows, those that are still preserved give the place a mystical beauty. They are capable of transmitting peace and spirituality to both parishioners and visitors. When you are there, you can check it out.
It is worth mentioning that its ornaments, candelabras and the Gothic altarpiece were imported from Europe. They remain intact, after more than a century of history.
The iron house in honor of Saint Barbara Maiden
It is no coincidence that Saint Barbara is the patron saint of the city. Miners and those who work with explosives and artillery are entrusted to her. Likewise, her name day is December 4 and that day various religious events are celebrated in her honor.
The parish of Santa Bárbara Doncella was classified as a historic building by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). This is the pride of all Cachanías and you cannot miss visiting it on your next trip to beautiful Baja California Sur. Visit Santa Rosalía and its magnificent parish with 126 years of history!
Where: Álvaro Obregón, Center, Santa Rosalía, BCS