Museo del Obispado

The Bishop's Palace became the
Regional History Museum of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico and is
often referred to as the Bishop's Museum since it was the residence
of Bishop Fray Rafael Jose Verger on land that was known as Bishop
Hill. In 1777, Pope Pius VI is a decree that created the Diocese of
Linares, during the reign of Carlos III of Spain. Recommended by the
king, the pope named Sacedon Fray Antonio de Jesus, to become the
Bishop of the diocese, which occurred in 1779 by messenger,
instructing him to take possession of the diocese with all the rites
needed. Unfortunately, the Fray passed on before he reached Linares,
the name of the town to which the diocese had been named. The pope
then appointed Fray Rafael Jose Verger, who then asked the king if
he could move the bishopric to Monterrey instead, since there were
more Christians located in that city or town at the time. In 1787,
the Fray asked the city council if he could build the church on top
of Vera Hill and they agreed, so the construction started almost at
once. The resulting structure is the oldest and finest architectural
artifact of the colonial period that survived the years and now
stands proudly in Monterrey. During the American invasion in
1846, the diocese became one of the most significant battle sites in
the northern parts of Mexico and on September 23, the Mexican
withheld the church and town against General Worth and his troops.
The museum houses many artifacts from the early history of the city,
with archaeological and historical relics that include 18th and 19th
century items. These objects are altarpieces, utensils, tools,
sculptures, weapons, furniture, bills, coins, watches, religious
art, clothing and portraits. The galleries included in the museum
are; the oratory, first settlers, evangelism, viceroyalty, the
bishopric, independence, leaders, porfiriato, industrial
development, defense of sovereignty and importance.
Church of the Immaculate
The
Church of La Purisima is the Roman Catholic church located in the
diocese of the Immaculate Conception, Monterrey, Mexico and is the
first church constructed in modern architectural styles that was
designed by Enrique de la Mora, who has designed many churches
throughout Mexico. Enrique was able to influence Archbishop of
Monterrey, Guillermo Tritschler to allow numerous painters and
sculptors to work on the church, that included; Jesus Leal Galvan,
Benjamin Molina, Adolfo Laubner Mayer, Federico Cantu, Jorge
Gonzalez Camarena, and Ysenbourg Herbert Hoffman. There had been
some controversy about the new design of the church, with a formal
meeting being held in 1941, with nine men attending to decide if the
new design would be used or the designs of the period that had been
used for other churches in the nation. As each person gave their
point of view, it ended with the resounding no to the design, some
saying that it resembled a warehouse or hangar more than it did a
church. Finally the decision rested with the new archbishop,
Tritschler, who said that when other churches had been constructed
in the past, they also, were considered somewhat outlandish, or
different, but that it was the church's decision to break with the
normal tradition and explore other types of architect, that would
inspire prayer and worship, and not necessarily the looks of the
church itself. The archbishop stated that it would be a perfect fit
for the city, that used glass, steel and cement to create the modern
marvels that bespeckled the skyline of the growing city and it would
be very apropos and more meaningful to the worshipers that came
here. It still was a great controversy, and many thought
inappropriate. At the time, one of the finest writers of that
period, Alfonso Reyes, wrote an article saying the church would be
an outstanding addition to the city and congregation and went on to
congratulate the architect for his outstanding modern views,
incorporating the past, present and future with the new design. To
start building the new church, they had to demolish the old chapel
that had been constructed in the 19th century, that was important in
relation to the strange miracle that occurred one stormy day. A
woman visiting the city and religious shrine, when she took a
picture of the archbishop and the storm subsided. After all was said
and done, the new church was consecrated on February 14, 1946, with
Archbishop Tritschler and Cordova doing the consecration. After
opening, another controversy arose, when a sculpture of the
crucified Christ and his 12 Apostles, that was personally chosen by
the archbishop, created by Jewish sculptor Herbert Hofmann
Ysenbourg, and disliked by Jesuit priest, Pardinas Felipe Illanes.
Again, the archbishop overcame all obstacles and the church and
crypt were finished with the sculpture; and it began a new period in
church architecture.