In the heart of La Laguna, the remains of the San Agustín church serve as a poignant reminder of the catastrophic fire that engulfed its interior 60 years ago, on June 2, 1964. The fire left only the walls and arches standing, with the columns reduced to ashes. This church, beloved by the Laguneros, held significant historical and heritage value, housing treasured religious artworks that were tragically lost in the afternoon blaze.
Speculations about the fire’s cause abound, with one theory suggesting a short circuit in the church choir, while another points to restoration work on an altarpiece involving a blowtorch. Eliseo Izquierdo, the official chronicler of La Laguna, notes, “There is currently no official confirmation of either theory.” The fire rapidly spread through the building, fueled by flammable fabrics and wooden ceiling elements, at a time when there were no fire alarms or suppression systems in place.
“It was a calamity, but it could have been even more catastrophic if not for a series of fortuitous circumstances that aided in containing the fire. Initially, there was a lack of coordinated action to control the blaze, leading to confusion, fear, and chaos. No one exhibited the leadership necessary to organize an effective evacuation from the church. Additionally, a grave mistake was made in opening the doors, which only served to intensify the flames due to increased airflow,” recalls Eliseo Izquierdo. “The fire was eventually brought under control with the assistance of numerous villagers who joined forces to extinguish the flames and, notably, with the intervention of the Cepsa Fire Unit, as the existing firefighting equipment at that time, 60 years ago, was insufficient and largely ineffective,” he adds.
The fire necessitated the evacuation of patients from the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores and students from the Instituto Canarias Cabrera Pinto, housed in the old San Agustín convent. “The entire block could have been consumed by flames since the historic convent, a true architectural gem, was in imminent danger of total destruction if not for timely intervention, aided by favourable weather conditions. It was a tragedy averted, with potentially grave repercussions,” reflects Eliseo Izquierdo.
“It was a sorrowful afternoon, stirring the whole of La Laguna to action. The outpouring of support and offers of assistance to rebuild the church were immense, testament to San Agustín’s status as one of the most revered churches in La Laguna, known for its popular mass held at noon on Sundays, attracting a congregation from the heart of the city,” he reminisces.
He further highlights the poignant significance the church held for many of his generation, recounting, “As the chapel at De La Salle Brothers school was quite small, we attended the 10:00 mass at San Agustín, forging a deep connection to the church that felt like a lifelong tradition. Moreover, the Nazarene was the patron saint of the school, and on Holy Wednesdays, all the school children would participate in the Holy Week procession, accompanying the revered image,” he recalls.
Eliseo Izquierdo fondly describes San Agustín as a “radiant and exquisite church, epitomizing the traditional Canarian architectural style, boasting a grand wooden coffered ceiling, considered one of the largest. It exuded beauty and comfort, with the central nave featuring a wooden floor, adding an extra layer of coziness.”
The church housed precious ecclesiastical artworks, many of which were lost in the fire, including the revered images of the Ecce Homo (Lord of the Cañita), the Christ of Burgos, and the Virgin of the Cinta, central to a triptych by Antonio María Magallano. However, the images of San Agustín and Santa Mónica were salvaged, only to be destroyed in the Bishopric fire of 2006. Fortunately, the Virgen de la Soledad and the Jesús Nazareno were rescued and remain preserved to this day, requiring restoration. Some tombs still visible on the original church floor survived, while others, like those of Jorge Grimón and historian Juan Núñez de la Peña, were lost, along with the remains of San Fortunato.
The convent and the original San Agustín church constituted the first architectural ensemble owned by the Augustinians in Tenerife during the 16th century. Undoubtedly, the complex underwent numerous renovations in subsequent centuries, culminating in the decision in the 18th century to demolish and rebuild the church, a project completed around 1784 as per data from the Cicop Foundation.
Among the most iconic photographs from the fire is one captured by Agustín Guerra, who operated a photography studio, Fotos Guerra, on Bencomo Street, number 29 at the time. The striking image, in black and white, captures a massive plume of smoke billowing from the church’s roof.
Historical Retrospect
“My father was at the photography studio when a nearby building owner, his friend, urged him to ascend to the roof and photograph the fire. Seizing his camera, my father rushed up and fortuitously captured that series of spectacular images,” shares Gerardo Guerra, his son, who oversees his father’s photographic archives.
Reflecting on that poignant day, he recounts, “I was serving in the Independent Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group Number Two at Los Rodeos. We were alerted of the fire at the San Agustín church, and dispatched to the site in trucks to assist. However, delays in mobilization meant that upon arrival, the fire had largely been extinguished. The military’s involvement was minimal, limited to assisting with salvage efforts.”
Corroborating the chronicler’s sentiments, Gerardo Guerra recalls, “San Agustín church held a special place in the hearts of the La Laguna community. It was a revered site for communion, with choir services that I participated in as a La Salle student, regularly attending the Sunday mass at San Agustín. The church exuded warmth, especially with its distinctive wooden flooring, a rare feature among La Laguna churches, making it particularly inviting on chilly days.”
“The loss of the church was a devastating blow to the townspeople, a cherished gem reduced to rubble within minutes. Regrettably, there has been a lack of concerted efforts to preserve its heritage,” he laments.
Stabilizing the Ruins
The church was never reconstructed. At that time, Bishop Franco Cascón decided to allocate the funds raised towards the construction of the Diocesan Seminary. Over the years, despite the imposing presence of its ruins in the heart of La Laguna, restoration efforts were sidelined, and the site remained cordoned off for safety reasons. In 2005, the City Council initiated an international design competition for the site’s redevelopment, though the project was only revisited in 2016, with the winning architectural studio tasked with revising the plans to consolidate the ruins and adapt the space to meet safety standards, facilitating public access. However, the actual construction commenced in 2022.
However, escalating construction costs and the need for regulatory adjustments led to delays in the project, halting progress in 2023 pending approval for the modified blueprint. Notably, the revised plans have received favourable assessments from the Cabildo and the Urban Planning Management of La Laguna, paving the way for the project’s resumption. The current budget for the restoration works stands at €1,148,588, inclusive of IGIC.
