SW News: While the collapse of a church building in the volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma went viral on the island, yet another Catholic church on the island is the talk of the town. The little church dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari has escaped the fury of the eruption of the Cumbre Viejo volcano for the second time in a row.

When the volcano erupted on September 21, many believed that the flow of molten lava would engulf the St Nicholas Church. However, it was providentially saved from the fury of the lava which did not come its way.  Dating back to the 18th century, this historic church has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest by the authorities. Although the structure escaped destruction, its artefacts and sacred objects have already been shifted to another property given by the diocese.

With the river of lava staying clear of the church has reminded residents of the island of the miraculous protection of the sanctuary 72 years ago. It was in July 1949 that the previous eruption of the volcano took place and it was on the eastern side of the island. Rivers of lava started to flow and one of it came in the direction of St Nicholas Church.

Although the sacred objects had been evacuated, the parish priest and believers assembled in the church and prayed to the Virgin of Fatima to protect them. It was the year when the Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was taken around the world. Providentially, the river of lava changed its course sparing the church. In thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin, the parishioners erected a monument dedicated to the Virgin of Fatima near the church and it still remains.

The Church of St Nicholas was founded by Nicolas Massieu van Dalle y Rantz, a captain of the infantry and ruler of the island as well as bailiff of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. In his will, he had bequeathed a large sum of money to build a church dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari and it was his son Pedro Massieu y Monteverde who built the shrine.