Church of San Felipe Neri "La Profesa" facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of San Felipe NeriTemplo de San Felipe Neri |
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Facade of La Profesa
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mexico |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Parish church |
| Year consecrated | 31 July 1610 |
| Location | |
| Location | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Juan Pérez de Soto, Pedro de Arrieta |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Baroque, Neo-classical |
| Groundbreaking | 1597 |
| Completed | 1802 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 55 metres (180 ft) |
| Width | 55 metres (180 ft) |
| Width (nave) | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| Materials | masonry and tezontle |
The Church of San Felipe Neri, often called "La Profesa" (meaning English: the Professed house), is a Roman Catholic church in Mexico City. It was built by the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, in the late 1500s. This church is special because its design shows a mix of older and newer styles. It connects the simpler Baroque style of the 1600s with the very fancy Baroque style of the 1700s in Mexico.
You can find La Profesa at the corner of Madero and Isabel la Católica Streets in Mexico City. It's famous for being the place where important historical events happened. These include the "La Profesa Conspiracy," which helped Agustín de Iturbide become the emperor of Mexico, and the "Polkos Rebellion."
More recently, this church was involved in discussions about making Juan Diego a saint. The church also has a huge collection of old artworks from the time when Mexico was a Spanish colony. These paintings were made over three centuries by some of Mexico's best artists, like Cristóbal de Villalpando and Juan Correa.
Contents
History of La Profesa
Building the First Church
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The first Jesuit priests arrived in Mexico in 1572. They bought land near the Zócalo (main square) in Mexico City. Other religious groups, like the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Augustinians, already had churches there. They argued with the Jesuits over the land, but the Jesuits won in 1595. Their new home was called "Casa Profesa."
Rich people like Alonso de Villaseca helped pay for the first church. It was built between 1597 and 1610 by architect Juan Pérez de Soto. The church opened on July 31, 1610, on the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. It was officially called the "Church of the Professed House" (Spanish: Iglesia de la Casa Profesa), but people just called it "La Profesa."
A big flood in Mexico City in 1629 almost completely destroyed this church. Only a small part of the original roof, which has a Moorish style, is still part of the building today. The church was rebuilt in 1714. Gertrudis de la Peña helped pay for it, and Pedro de Arrieta designed the new building.
Jesuits Leave and Return
Over time, the Jesuits decorated the church and their living areas with many paintings, sculptures, and other beautiful things. They collected a lot of religious art. But in 1767, the Jesuits were forced to leave Spain and all Spanish lands, including Mexico.
La Profesa Church and other Jesuit buildings in Mexico City were given to the government. The church was then given to the priests of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. Its name was changed to San José el Real, but people still called it "La Profesa."
Many years later, the Jesuits were allowed to come back to Mexico. When they got the church back, they started building a new part called the "Casa de Ejercicios" (English: House of the (Spiritual) Exercises). Manuel Tolsá, a famous architect, expanded this building and also redecorated the inside of the church. All this work was finished in 1802.
In 1855, the church celebrated a big event: the declaration of the Immaculate Conception as a Catholic belief. A painting of this event is now in the National Museum of History. Later, in 1861, new laws forced the monastery next to La Profesa to close. It was torn down in 1862 to make way for 5 de Mayo Street. The Casa de Ejercicios building was even used as a hotel for a while.
From the 1900s to Today
In 1914, a bad fire damaged the church. It destroyed the paintings in the dome by Pellegrí Clavé. These paintings showed the seven sacraments and "The Triumph of the Holy Cross." Only one painting from 1861, which shows the blessing of Creation, was saved.
Later in the 20th century, this church was a meeting place for historians and religious experts. They met to discuss the process of making Juan Diego a saint. La Profesa was declared a historical monument in 1932 and again in 1980. The building has also had repairs because it has been sinking into the soft ground of Mexico City. Its front on Madero Street has also been restored. Today, it's a popular place for weddings, especially since it's close to the Casino Español.
What the Church Looks Like
The church you see today was rebuilt in 1720 by Pedro de Arrieta. It replaced the one that was almost destroyed by the 1629 flood. Only a small part of the original 1500s church roof remains. The new church mixes styles from the 1600s and 1700s. This is why La Profesa is seen as an important building that influenced many other churches in Mexico City in the 1700s.
Some features that became popular in 1700s buildings are seen here. These include an eight-sided window in the choir area with many decorations. The main entrance is also set back from the street, with steps leading up to it. Older features include the cross-shaped floor plan with three main sections and an eight-sided dome.
The front of the church is covered in red tezontle stone with gray-white stone (cantera) details. Above the main entrance, there's a stone carving showing Christ with a cross appearing to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Statues of Saint Gertrude and Saint Barbara stand on either side.
The side entrance, facing Madero Street, has a special spot with a statue of Ignatius of Loyola. Overall, the church's design is a blend of the simpler Baroque style of the 1600s and the much more decorated Baroque style of the 1700s in Mexico.
The main altar you see today was made in 1799 by Manuel Tolsá. It is in the Neoclassic style and is dedicated to Saint Philip Neri. The columns inside the church have a somewhat Gothic look. But what really stands out inside are the artworks.
Near the entrance, there are statues of the Virgin of the Rosary and the Vision of Saint Teresa. Both were made by Cristobal de Villapando and are considered early Baroque works. A later sculpture by Manuel Tolsá, showing the Immaculate Conception, is in the right hallway.
The church also has a special container called a reliquary. It is said to hold pieces of the cross of Jesus.
La Profesa has a very large collection of old paintings with religious themes. Only some of these are displayed inside the church itself. These include a painting of the Crucifixion by José Juárez above an altar. There's also "The Virgin of the Pópulo" by Juan Correa, and an old painting of Christ being crowned with thorns. One of the oldest and most valuable works is thought to be by Baltasar de Echave Orio, showing the Pentecost. The sacristy (a room where priests prepare) and the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe also have valuable paintings. Most of La Profesa's art collection is shown in an art gallery next to the church.
La Profesa in Mexican History
In the 1800s and 1900s, several important historical events happened near this church.
The La Profesa Conspiracy
In the early 1800s, during the Mexican War of Independence, a group called the "La Profesa Conspiracy" formed here. This group was led by Matías Monteagudo, who was in charge of the Casa de Ejercicios at La Profesa. They wanted Mexico to have an absolute ruler (like a king) instead of a republic. They also did not like the Spanish Constitution of 1812. This group played a big part in helping Agustín de Iturbide become the emperor of Mexico after the war ended in 1821.
The Polkos Rebellion
Another political event linked to the church was the "Polkos Rebellion." This happened in 1847 when two groups of young, wealthy men refused to defend the port city of Veracruz. This was during the Mexican–American War when the U.S. was invading. The name "Polkos" came from their quiet support for U.S. President James K. Polk. It also came from their love of dancing the polka at fancy parties. People say these men even held banquets in the patio of La Profesa during their uprising.
Art Collection at La Profesa
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For a long time, La Profesa was very important for art in Mexico. Both the Jesuits and the priests of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri filled the church and its buildings with many paintings and artworks. After new laws closed the monastery, the buildings next to the church were used for other things. The building known as the "Casa de Ejercicios" eventually became an art gallery. This allowed the public to see the church's huge art collection. The gallery has works by famous artists like Cristobal de Villalpando, Juan Correa, and Pellegrí Clavé.
The art collection is divided into four rooms, each focusing on different types of paintings.
Room One: Jesuit Art
The first room holds paintings that were made for the Jesuits before the church was given to the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. One painting is of Saint Francis Borgia, likely by Alonso López de Herrero. There are also two very large paintings, by an unknown artist, showing Ignatius of Loyola and the death of Saint Francis Xavier. Another painting is of the Virgin of the Jesuits by Francisco Martínez, who was better known for gold-leaf work. There are also two paintings showing Jesuits being martyred in Japan, and a painting by Nicolas Enriquez of Ignatius of Loyola at the Manresa Cave.
Room Two: Cardinal Newman Room
The second room is named for Cardinal Newman. It has all the paintings connected to the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. This room has portraits of eleven popes who had ties to this group. Another series of paintings shows the life of Saint Philip Neri and is thought to be by Antonio de Torres. At the end of this room is a huge painting called "Patrocinio de San José a los felipenses" by José de Alcíbar, made in 1767. This painting was made to thank Saint Joseph because for seven years, no member of the order at La Profesa died. The painting includes the faces of real members of the order from that time.
Room Three: Three Centuries of Mexican Painting
The third room is called "Three centuries of painting in Mexico." It has paintings by different artists from the 1600s to the 1800s. It starts with a painting of Saint Ursula and her friends. Then there are several paintings by Cristobál de Villalpando, including "Scenes of the life of Joseph, son of Jacob," "Los Desposorios," "Saint Jerome," and a portrait of Archbishop Francisco de Aguilar y Seijas. This portrait might be the only one ever done by Villalpando. Another painting, "Vision of Saint Vincent Ferrer," is also here and is thought to be by Villalpando, even though it's not signed.
This room also has three works by Juan Correa, like "La Dormición de la Virgen," but they are not considered his best. Other paintings include the Prophet Elijah by Antonio Rodriguez and the Prophet Isaiah by Nicolás Rodríguez Juárez. One important painting is the "Padre Eterno" by Pelegrí Clavé. It's the only work that survived the fire at La Profesa Church in 1912. The left wall of the room has a large mural with scenes from the Passion of Christ. The figures are almost life-size. Many artists, including Cristobál de Villalpando, worked on this mural.
Room Four: Casa de Ejercicios Collection
The last room has artworks that were likely part of the collection from the Casa de Ejercicios building. It starts with a portrait of Joaquín de Aldama, who gave a lot of money to help build this part of the church. Next, there are several paintings by unknown artists showing scenes from the Passion of Christ. There are also two large works by Miguel Correa. These show the torments of hell and the final judgment of good and bad people.
See also
In Spanish: La Profesa para niños
- List of colonial churches in Mexico City
- List of Jesuit sites
