The date of construction of the original chapel of the Apostle Santiago is unknown, but it is known that it must have arisen from the New Spanish era. In a plan of the Congregation of Irapuato of 1805 it is already indicated. Its current appearance in neoclassical style is due to a reconstruction carried out in the nineteenth century. In this regard, Father Rafael Reyes, a chronicler of the early nineteenth century, mentions that there was an ancient inscription that read as follows:
“Some people have expressed vehement desires to build a more decent chapel for the Apostle Santiago than the one currently occupied by the Saint, assuring that all the inhabitants of the Barrio are animated by the same desire, and manifesting it, through our Parish Priest, to the Honorable Bishop Doctor and Master D.J.M. de Jesús Díez de Sollano y Dávalos, not only did he approve such noble wishes, but he empowered the Parish Priest himself to bless the first stone and formally granted 40 days of Indulgences to people of both sexes who in some way contributed either with alms, material or personal work, and in the sixth Pastoral Visit he increased 40 for the brotherhood he has with other Rmos. Bishops. January 17, 1876.”
This not only gives data about the date of reconstruction, but also about the importance of this temple for the identity of the Santiaguito neighborhood, since it was the residents of this neighborhood themselves who, with their initiative, their alms and their work carried out this reconstruction.






