The
Parish of San Fernando
was formed in 1964 in the so-called Ensanche de Santiago de Compostela. Cardinal Archbishop Fernando Quiroga Palacios played a fundamental role in the creation of the parish of San Fernando. It was his initiative to erect a church in this expanding area of the city, dedicating it to his patron saint.
In those years, the city experienced an accelerated growth process, especially due to the University of Santiago and the settlement of new professionals. Thus, the city had to grow beyond its limits and occupy agricultural land and other fields located southwest of the urban center. This process lasted for several decades, but since the mid-twentieth century, the Parish of San Fernando became the spiritual, welfare, social and formative reference for several generations of Compostela.
In creating this community, the Cardinal was assisted by the priest Manuel Cacheda Vigide, who became the parish priest and worked tirelessly for many years. He already had experience in the construction of churches, as he had previously built the church of Soutelo de Montes. The land to build the parish complex was donated by Esperanza Rubido Romero.
The project was conceived as a modern creation in line with the liturgical-pastoral program of the Second Vatican Council. To achieve this, Andrés Fernández-Albalat Lois, one of the most outstanding contemporary Galician architects, was hired. It was part of the modern movement and played an important role in the Galician cultural world during the second half of the 20th century.
Its execution was prolonged for years for economic reasons. Thus, the church was inaugurated 25 years after the birth of the parish. The temple is a large curved and diaphanous space, where concrete plays a fundamental role, with two differentiated areas. One of them, more intimate, is destined for the custody of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer, while the other, of great amplitude, is used for the liturgical celebration.
The first pastor, Manuel Cacheda, was a great promoter in the construction and consolidation of the parish. However, after more than 50 years, this area is experiencing an aging process. Likewise, the parish of San Fernando continues to be one of the most inhabited and busiest parishes in Santiago de Compostela.
The parish holds masses Monday through Saturday at 9:00 am and 8:00 pm. On Sundays and holidays there are four shifts, at 9:30 am, 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Holiday eves are celebrated at 20:00.
