Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel – The Stunning Parish in Mexico

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is a stunning church located in San Miquel de Allende in Mexico. This Mexican church is a reconstruction of an earlier church, but the present structure is the one that has received all the attention. The Neo-Gothic Revival façade is of particular note, and in this article, we will discuss that architecture, the history, and the architects of the San Miguel church. Keep reading to learn more about the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel!

A Look at the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, also known as the Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel, is a stunning Neo-Gothic Revival church located in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. The structure has become a structure synonymous with the city in which it is based, and it continues to be one of the most famous churches in Mexico. The San Miguel church was originally constructed in the early 18^th century, but further work was applied to the structure in the late 19^th century which led to the construction of an entirely new façade.

Parroquia De San Miguel Arcángel Church; Avillac5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cathedral de San Miguel is a Catholic church that is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. This figure is also the patron saint of the city at large and is partially named after him. The church has been in use as a church ever since it was constructed. However, in more recent years, it has also become a popular tourist destination because of its stunning design, and because of the famous Cristo de la Conquista, a famous image of Christ, within its walls.

The History of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel has a rather lengthy history, but some of that earlier history concerns a church that no longer actually exists. In the beginning, a small chapel was established in the city, and it was dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. This small chapel would remain for many decades, but it was a small construction and lacked the majesty that would come with the later design.

Things changed in the early 18th century when work began on the present church.

This new church was still dedicated to Saint Michael, but it was designed to make use of a Baroque style. This new construction was headed up by Marco Antonio Sobrarías. This church would ultimately be completed and served the residents of the region for many years. One of the bloodier elements of the history of that version of the church was that one of the leaders of the Mexican War of Independence, Ignacio Allende, was executed there, and his head was put on display in one of the towers. In 1826, after independence had been achieved, the city was renamed to San Miguel de Allende in honor of the war hero who had been killed there.

Parroquia De San Miguel Arcángel; Oscar.duran1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The design of the church at the time was over a century old, and so there was a desire for more work to be done on the structure. This was when Zeferino Gutiérrez entered the scene. This man was in charge of the redesign of the church’s façade and towers. He was inspired by European architecture and made use of a Neo-Gothic Revival style for the design. In the first half of the 20^th century, a major piece of art was moved to the church. This piece of art is the Cristo de la Conquista. This is a 16th-century image of Christ and a representation of the movement of Christianity through the Americas.

The image has taken pride of place in the church ever since then, and it even supposedly has the power to protect the city.

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel continued to be used as a church for the rest of the century, and in 2008 the building was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This has not stopped it from being used as a church though. It has continued in this function ever since it was constructed. However, it has also become a popular tourist destination since then.

Panoramic view of San Miguel de Allende, with the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel; https://www.flickr.com/photos/jiuguangw/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Architecture of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

The original iteration of the present form of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel made use of a Baroque style, which is noted for its dedication to immense levels of ornamentation and an attempt to inspire awe in those who see it. However, since then, the structure has undergone a change. That change occurred in the 19^th century, and it involved the replacement of the original façade with a Neo-Gothic Revival one.

The Neo-Gothic Revival style is a return to the medieval style known as Gothic architecture.

This style is noted for its use of pointed arches, flying buttresses, intricate tracery elements, vaults, and stained-glass windows. However, the revival style incorporated newer materials, such as steel. The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel made use of this European style after the architect was inspired by European cathedrals. As such, the Cathedral de San Miguel made use of these general elements in its overall design, such as through the use of pointed arches, pinnacles, and filigree pillars.

Night view of the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel; Luis uriel correa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most notable elements of the façade of this stunning church is the pink color of the exterior. The tall and pointed design elevates the pink stone structure high into the sky and produces an image quite unlike anything else in the city. The building remains as one of the most gorgeous examples of Neo-Gothic Revival architecture in Mexico.

The Architect of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel was designed by two architects over the years. Marco Antonio Sobrarías was the first architect to work on the present structure. The prior church that had stood on the spot collapsed in 1649, and so he was responsible for the reconstruction. He made use of a Baroque architectural style, but much of his work was later replaced by the second major architect to work on the site.

Interior of the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel; Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Zeferino Gutiérrez was a stonemason who worked in the late-19^th century, and he is best known for his work on the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. He was the man responsible for the change in the façade of the structure, and he designed it after drawing inspiration from European cathedrals. His changes to the structure made use of the Neo-Gothic Revival style for which the Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel is now so well known. He also worked on several other religious structures in the city and beyond.

With that, we have concluded our discussion about the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. This stunning Mexican church, with its multiple styles and its gorgeous Neo-Gothic Revival façade, has become a symbol of the city of San Miguel de Allende. Hopefully, you have learned a good deal about this gorgeous church today, but there are many other Mexican churches worthy of our time and appreciation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel?

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is a Catholic church located in Mexico. The church has become particularly famous because of the architectural design of the façade. The San Miguel church is still in operation to this day, and is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Where Is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel?

This stunning church is located in the Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende. This city is located in the state of Guanajuato while the church itself is more specifically located in the main square of the city, and this square is called the Plaza Principal.

Who Was the Architect of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel?

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel had two architects over the course of its existence. The first major architect designed the structure in a more Baroque style, and his name was Marco Antonio Sobrarías. However, the now-famous façade of the church was designed later by Zeferino Gutiérrez.

What Is the Architectural Style of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel?

The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is known for its Neo-Gothic Revival façade. This architectural style is an attempt to emulate the original medieval Gothic style that was immensely prominent throughout Europe. The style is particularly associated with churches and is characterized by the use of flying buttresses, pointed arches, and stained glass.

What Is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel Used for Now?

The purpose of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel has never actually changed, as it is still used as a church. However, in more recent years, it has become a popular tourist destination within the city because of the stunning architectural achievement that is the Cathedral de San Miguel.

Justin van Huyssteen( Writer, Academic, Educator )

Justin van Huyssteen is a writer, academic, and educator from Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a master’s degree in Theory of Literature. His primary focus in this field is the analysis of artistic objects through a number of theoretical lenses. His predominant theoretical areas of interest include narratology and critical theory in general, with a particular focus on animal studies. Other than academia, he is a novelist, game reviewer, and freelance writer. Justin’s preferred architectural movements include the more modern and postmodern types of architecture, such as Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Brutalist, and Futurist varieties like sustainable architecture. Justin is working for artfilemagazine as an author and content writer since 2022. He is responsible for all blog posts about architecture.

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