Parroquia San Pedro González Telmo, Church in San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Parroquia San Pedro González Telmo, also known as Nuestra Señora de Belén, is one of the oldest churches in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The building follows a Latin cross floor plan, with a central dome, two tall front towers, and an interior of rounded arches, wooden pews, and altars from different periods.
Construction began in 1734 under the Jesuits, following plans by architect Andrés Blanqui, with later work by Juan Bautista Prímoli and José Schmidt. After the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, the Bethlehemites took over in 1795, using the building to care for the sick and poor of the neighborhood.
The church officially carries two names: Parroquia San Pedro González Telmo and Nuestra Señora de Belén. On the facade, a figure of the saint holds a ship in one hand and a candle in the other, pointing to his traditional role as a protector of sailors and fishermen.
The church sits in San Telmo, a neighborhood that is easy to explore on foot, with many other points of interest nearby. When visiting, take time to look at the atrium with its memorial plaques, and check whether the cloister displaying historical objects is open to visitors.
The main altarpiece, made in 1833 from polychrome wood, shows the Holy Trinity at its center, with a painting of the Holy Family below it. The pulpit was commissioned by Belgrano himself and is decorated with figures of the four evangelists and the coat of arms of the Bethlehemites.
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