Capilla de las Hijas de la Caridad de San Vicente de Paul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capilla de las Hijas de la Caridad de San Vicente de Paul |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Location | |
| Municipality | San Fernando |
| Country | Chile |
The Capilla de las Hijas de la Caridad de San Vicente de Paul is a special Catholic building in San Fernando, O'Higgins Region, Chile. It's also known as the Chapel of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. This beautiful chapel was finished in 1899. In 1984, it was named a National Monument of Chile, which means it's a very important historic place.
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History of the Chapel
Sisters Arrive in San Fernando
In 1872, eight sisters from a group called the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul came to San Fernando. Their mission was to help organize the San Juan de Dios Hospital. They also provided care for patients there.
Building the Chapel
Construction of the chapel started in 1884. It was built in the central patio (courtyard) of the hospital. The Government of Chile helped pay for it. A generous donation from Mercedes Gómez also helped fund the project. The chapel was completed in 1899. The main altar was added the following year, in 1900.
Surviving Changes and Damage
In 1952, the old hospital building was taken down. A new hospital was built in its place. Luckily, the chapel was saved and remained standing. Later, in 1985, a big earthquake hit the area. This earthquake caused some damage to the chapel's structure. Restoration work began to fix these damages. The repairs were finished in 2005, making the chapel strong again.
What the Chapel Looks Like
The chapel was designed in a style called Gothic Revival. This means it looks like older Gothic churches from the past. It has a Latin Cross shape when you look at it from above. The chapel is built using brick. The outside walls show the bare bricks. Inside, the walls are covered with plaster. The ceiling and the roof structure are made from wood.
