Parroquia Corazón de María
Uso: Iglesia
Construcción: Mario Galindo R. & CIA LTDA
Located at Avenida Bush N° 1873 in Miraflores in La Paz, Bolivia.
The structure of the parish consists of two truncated cone-shaped domes of hyperbolic cosine generatrix facing each other. The truncated cone geometry gives the shells double curvature at each point, which makes them resistant to localized buckling.
The shells were built using the fiber cement technique, which basically consists of building a reinforced concrete formwork over which reinforced concrete is poured. The result is ribbed shells in which the exposed concrete formwork remains inside. Additionally, the roof deck has two small shells, also truncated cone-shaped, not ribbed. The roof covers a total usable area of 540 square meters.
The Corazón de María Parish was awarded the prize for the best monumental construction in 1972 by the “Amigos de la Ciudad” (Friends of the City). The architectural conception, structural design and construction were entirely carried out by the Bolivian engineer Mr. Mario Galindo Rojas.
We would like to make a special honorable mention to Father Pedro Riaño, who was the architect to promote the construction, obtaining the necessary funds only with alms and donations. The Parish is the result of the joint decision of Father Riaño and Engineer Galindo to build, in total adversity, a work dedicated to God.
Unfortunately the parish is unfinished because it had to be painted immaculate white both inside and out, the pews had a special design, the tower had to be taller and a sculpture of Jesus Christ was designed but could never be sculpted, among many other missing details. All the work stopped when Father Pedro was transferred to the small town of Bolivar by instructions of the church. However, the most important part of the parish could be built and, today, it is a reality that will last for many centuries for the praise of God.
Father Pedro was a great Spanish priest who did a lot for the salvation of souls in Bolivia. His legacy goes far beyond the construction of the parish. Another of his great feats is in the town of Bolivar, which he transformed from a small poor town to a large and thriving one. In spite of not being able to finish the parish, Father Pedro was very happy to go to Bolivar because he was able to do a lot of work in representation of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the greatest respect and affection goes our sincere greetings and eternal gratitude to such a worthy priest in heaven where he is.
We would also like to mention the master Florentino López who directed the construction workers and the master stonemason Pedro Argote who sculpted all the stones of the lower wall in an unprecedented work of art.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention the Bolivian artist and architect Don Ricardo Pérez Alcalá who helped in countless details and painted several pictures of the parish that we jealously guard at Galindo Ingeniería.
- Date: 1972 - La Paz, Bolivia.
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