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Temples, Churches and Ex-monasteries
San Felipe Neri
Description
It belonged to the congregation of the Oratorio of San Felipe Neri founded in the city of Antequera, - today Oaxaca, in 1661. The congregation was recognised in 1750 after its approval by Pope Clemente VII. In the meantime, the priests began construction of the architectural plan that culminated in 1840 with the construction of the exercise annex. At present, the latter is occupied by a religious charity hospital in commemoration of the congregation characterised for its medical charity and spiritual works, instilled by San Felipe Neri during the fourteen-century.
In 1733 construction of the temple began, and was finished in 1770, except for the bell towers, which date from the nineteenth century. It was consecrated in 1773, in honour of the Virgin of Patronage and San Felipe Neri.
The portal follows the baroque style and it is formed by three sections, three calles, and a pediment formed by entablatures, cornices and balustrade columns of Corinthian capital.
Standing out in the interior are paintings representing the Coronation of the Virgin by the Holy Trinity, the Institution of the Rosary with Santo Domingo kneeling and San Diego of Alcala. In the upper part are four enormous oval-shaped medallions of approximately five by three metres, in which there are four paintings of archangels, one in each medallion. These medallions are decorated with vegetable motifs, such as those present in the first Rococo manifestations in Mexico toward the middle of the eighteenth century.
In 1915, the atrium’s bars with Art Nouveau motifs were placed on its doors. The congregation disappeared toward the end of last century. Secular clergy then administrated the church. The old exercise house is at present used for catholic-type activities. The Angel Vasconcelos Hospital occupies the ex-convent, and the rest is property of private individuals due to the last century’s Reform Laws.
It is important to note that the Emeritus of the Americas, Benito Juárez wedded Margarita Maza in this temple on July 31, 1843, and then he initiated the Reform.
Location
The temple of San Felipe Neri, is located 2 blocks north-west of the Zócalo, between Independencia Avenue and Tinoco y Palacios Street, in the Historic Centre of the city of Oaxaca.
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