Jujuy has a rich history forged by men and women who, with sacrifice and noble ideals, outlined a promising future. Today, the present generations have before them works that speak of that progressive spirit of those pioneers
The sweet town of La Esperanza is one of those plots where its works speak of a time that is gone, one of them is the temple of Our Lord of Good Hope, inaugurated and blessed on April 27, 1941, owner of a singular architectural beauty.
PARISH | IT IS CURRENTLY IN CHARGE OF FATHER MARCELO VALDIVIA.
These dates are remembered, thanks to the tenacious research work of the historian and multi-doctor Jobino Pedro Sierra e Iglesias, who unraveled the history that remained hidden and was captured in the book “A time that was gone.”
The Leach brothers have always supported the practice of all religions. The first chapel they built was the Anglican one, known as St. George’s Church, which corresponded to their creed. Once a month, a pastor arrived from Salta for the religious service. Then, they hired the services of the evangelical pastor who, in 1898, preached the gospel to the Chiriguana community residing in the Cherenta neighborhood of La Esperanza.
Years later, the Leach brothers offered the bishopric of Salta to erect a temple in La Esperanza, dedicated to the Roman Catholic apostolic cult. On March 31, 1940, the foundation stone was placed, which was blessed by Monsignor Enrique Mühn. The center of the park was chosen to locate the construction, in a sector where there was a roundabout. On April 27, 1941, the Esperanceños celebrated with great fervor the inauguration ceremony of the temple, with an event that was attended by the bishop, Governor Raúl Bertrés, the administrator of the La Esperanza sugar mill, Douglas Gordon Davidson, Ambrosio Alexander and Juan Martín Silvester and the Chief of Police, among other authorities.
LORD OF GOOD HOPE
The temple was dedicated to Our Lord of Good Hope and the priest’s house was built nearby, the first parish priest being Father Luis Gross, whose living expenses were recognized by the company.
The temple is an architectural jewel. The construction presents a look reminiscent of the Norman style. The vaulted and wood-upholstered enclosure, despite the time, maintains its beauty. But there is no doubt that the majesty is synthesized in its carved altarpiece that takes light from the stained glass windows that adorn the sides. Another detail is the choral atrium which is accessed by a staircase.
