The congregation of the Oratory was formally founded on May 2, 1712. It had as its beginnings the function of catechizing the mulatto Indians.
This place was also a school where Ignacio Allende and the Aldama brothers, heroes of the independence of our country, studied. During the war of independence.
The Oratory has a much more “indigenous” style than all the churches in San Miguel. The pink quarry façade is a beautiful example of Baroque, with a large shell extending above the main entrance. The carved wooden doors are original and worthy of a detailed observation. At the top is the image of Our Lady of Solitude, “the dear Indian Virgin”.
Inside there are several oil paintings and a valuable collection of stewed sculptures, as well as neoclassical altars, a baroque altarpiece of gilded wood, more than thirty oil paintings representing the life of San Felipe Neri, a Virgin of Guadalupe (attributed to Miguel Cabrera) and other paintings with religious themes.
Legend has it that when the Spanish asked the Indians to cede their church to the order of San Felipe Neri, they rejected it in writing. When the scroll was opened, all the writing had disappeared and the Indians thinking it was a miracle so they yielded to the Spanish request.
Location: Insurgentes 12, 37700, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato