Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
audio narration:
construction year:
1866
location:
Sarıyer, İstanbul
ordered by:
Order of Friars Minor Conventual
architect:
Giovanni Battista, Domenico Pulgher, Ianco and Pellegrini
Changes After Construction:
In place of the first wooden church built in 1815, a stone/masonry church dedicated to the “Nativity of the Virgin Mary” was built in 1866 by the Franciscan fathers.
During the First World War (1915–1918), the church remained closed and was used as a soup kitchen for Muslim children; after the war, it was reopened for worship.
Until the 1960s, the building was used as a seminary.
In 1985, the building was transferred to the Focolare movement; in 1999, it was returned to the Franciscan Conventual Friars Minor (O.F.M. Conv.).
The bell tower was built later.
Prominent Features:
The church belongs to the Latin Catholic Church.
The building is also known as “Santa Maria Latin Catholic Church.”
The church bears features of the Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles.
On the façade, there is a rose window and two large windows; on the doors, there are two angel figures.
The three paintings in the interior were made by Giuseppe Carta after the completion of the construction; the fourth painting was painted by the Franciscan priest Pasquale Sarullo.
At the entrance, the baptismal font is on the left side; the stairs on the right lead to the balcony/marble choir loft.
The organ dated 1914 is still in working order today.