Cathedral Basilica of Queen of Peace, San Miguel, El Salvador Verified listing

Cathedral Basilica of Queen of Peace, San Miguel, El Salvador

The Cathedral Basilica of Queen of Peace, also called San Miguel Cathedral, is a notable Catholic church in San Miguel, El Salvador. In 1740, Manuel Gálvez del Corral, the mayor of San Salvador, reported that San Miguel had a parish church. Additionally, there were two convents named San Francisco and La Merced, along with two hermitages called San Sebastian and Calvary. These places shaped the city’s early spiritual life.

In 1862, officials decided to demolish the original parish church dedicated to St. Michael Archangel. They wanted to build a larger temple that would also honor the Virgin Our Lady of Peace. It is believed that President Gerardo Barrios laid the first stone on November 21 of that year. William Kirk, an English engineer, began construction but left after Barrios’ death, delaying progress.

Despite being unfinished, Pope Pius X elevated the church to cathedral status on February 11, 1913. Later, on November 21, 1921, Monsignor Juan Antonio Dueñas y Argumedo declared Our Lady of Peace the cathedral’s patroness. He also crowned the sacred image on behalf of Pope Benedict XV. Finally, the cathedral was completed in 1962 under pastor Oscar Romero’s leadership. This marked 100 years since construction began and solidified its importance to the community.

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