Great News for Soto Norte: The Historic Parroquia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Matanza, Damaged by the 2015 Earthquake, Reopens

Matanza, September 24, 2024. The more than 9,000 inhabitants of Matanza (Santander) and the 35,000 residents of Soto Norte rejoiced as they celebrated the reopening of the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. This iconic Church, a symbol of Colombian historical and cultural heritage, had its main structure severely damaged by an earthquake nine years ago. The temple, recognized as a Colombian Historical Patrimony and a National Cultural Interest Asset, now stands restored.

For the community of Matanza and the entire province, the reopening of this important religious and historical landmark is a testament to their resilience and unity. The restoration and conservation of the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Parish was a collective effort, made possible through the unwavering commitment of the local community and the collaboration of the Church, the Municipal Mayor's Office, Santander's Governor's Office, and Proyecto Soto Norte, which provided an investment of over US$600,000.

The Ministry of Culture approved significant interventions after extensive coordination, including the repair of the temple's roof, the dismantling of beams, the reinforcement of the main structure and foundations, and the renovation of the electrical system.

Father Luis Gabriel Sierra, representing the Church, expressed gratitude, saying: "We thank all the mayors, former mayors, engineers, the Planning Secretariat of the Mayor's Office, the Governor's Office, and Proyecto Soto Norte for providing the resources for the structural repairs, as well as for the restoration of the presbytery, the altar, the windows, and everything they did to renew the house of our beloved Virgin."

Yaneth Mantilla, PSN's Executive Vice President of Strategic Affairs, commented: "As a native of Santander and as a representative of a company committed to collective welfare and building unity among communities, I take great pride in contributing to the restoration of the Matanza Parish. This Church has always been at the heart of important religious celebrations for the Catholic community, both in the municipality and the region."

During the patron saint festivities, held on September 24, the Church of Matanza officially reopened its doors after being closed since March 10, 2015. The closure followed a 6.6 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Los Santos, Santander, which caused internal and external damages to the Church. After extensive studies and the development of an intervention project, the restoration has now been successfully completed.

This historic Church, whose construction began in 1690, is not just a building but a living testament to our rich cultural heritage. It houses XVII and XVIII-century paintings, a 200-year-old gate, an altar adorned with silver and gold borders, and sculptures from Quito and Spain. Today, with the presence of Monsignor Ismael Rueda Sierra, Archbishop of Bucaramanga, and over 400 parishioners, the Parish of Matanza has regained its place as a symbol of faith and development for the region, a beacon of our shared history and identity.

The restoration marks a significant step in revitalizing Santander's cultural heritage and underscores Proyecto Soto Norte's commitment to the community's social and cultural well-being.