'Scrap cathedral' in Spain lives on after creator's death | AFP

For over 60 years, former monk Justo Gallego had been building a cathedral out of scrap materials on the outskirts of Madrid, a project he would never see completed. The 96-year-old died over the weekend, but left the unfinished complex in Mejorada del Campo to a charity run by a priest that has vowed to complete his labour of love.
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[@mintfree]

He’ll be declared a saint one day God willing. Rest in peace Don Justo!

[@scottanos9981]

The miracle is being able to build the structure without any formal education in architecture

[@toilet_cleaner_man]

@@scottanos9981 I'm not in communion with Rome, but this man was most certainly being guided by God, and doing His work. Lord bless him for his dedication to his faith and desire to share his dedication with the people around him in a meaningful way.

[@scrapspoon]

Saint Justo

[@dariodesansebastian]

Even if the Pope doesn't sanctify him, the stones he set on Earth will be threefold in Heaven. He was such an amazing man

[@Steve.._.]

​@@toilet_cleaner_manno he just asked people 😂

[@gigajerk6953]

I was so sad to hear he passed away. I admire his work so much and I hope to see the cathedral one day. Rest in peace

[@toilet_cleaner_man]

I'm not in the communion of Rome, but who would not want to pray and worship here? It's a glory of God and His grace that a man, previously crippled by tuberculosis, was able to assemble a frankly outstanding and beautiful building for worship *made of scrap, going off of no guidelines or blueprints, and without formal architecture, carpentry, or masonic training* . I understand it is not entirely finished, but it will be one day, and on that day it better be dedicated to the hands who built it, and the God who made it possible. Mark 11:23

[@kevinmorrice]

Church can't make steady profit from it, that's why the don't claim it, they care about cash more than anything

[@dariodesansebastian]

Amen, brother! We Catholics would gladly welcome you with open arms, same with our Orthodox brothers! (Unless I'm putting my foot in my mouth and you're already Orthodox lol). He reminds me of Mathew 25:14

[@acertainredpanda1115]

I am not catholic or religious at all, but this man's dedication is so inspiring. I hope they finish the building and keep it within the vision of Gallego, but I have a feeling the building is in good hands. I hope this cathedral will be a place of worship and community for generations to come!

[@Lua0x07]

@@Kitan28 God doesn't exist.

[@Lua0x07]

@@Kitan28 Lol, you think I have not? After a year of being a christian, I researched christianity as a whole, and found out the many contradictions and errors that the holy book has. Thank you :)

[@Lua0x07]

@@Kitan28 "Let yourself be brainwashed and trust a book with your entire life." You do you.

[@Lua0x07]

@@Kitan28

[@1323GamerTV]

Wow. He did a lot since I last checked in. Truly divine inspiration.

[@wickesentertainment2377]

It saddens me that he was unable to finish the cathedral when he was alive, I hoped there was a possible chance for it for finish it. (Rest In Peace)

[@GodKitty677]

Trust me it would have been devastating for him to have seen it completed. Obsession can create great wonders but given the way he built it. Completion anxiety is that feeling that we’re never really sure when we’ve done enough to call something complete. Thats way there is likely 12 towers, two cloisters and a crypt. This anxiety can cause us to work extra hours in an effort to produce something better. I would say he would never have completed the building. This is likely the best outcome, he had his project which kept him alive until he was 96 years-old. He died knowing it would be completed.

[@drellz9361]

Why it’s a historitical landmark that he is a legend for and we are all talking about him I think he did his job I don’t think you understand what a master builder means

[@GodKitty677]

@@drellz9361 He's not a master builder, its just one man and his willpower.

[@t.karkov3077]

He himself admitted he'd be unable to finish the place in life and hope God would take charge of the place. The only thing he wanted was to be buried in his project as it was very important to him.

[@elalmadesevilla]

La vera terminada desde el cielo

[@EvatheDiva00]

you can tell he had an artistic eye, even though he is using scrap it looks designed and thoughtful

[@filipjezercic9735]

He seriously seemed immortal to me.

[@puglessmcarthur5613]

He is

[@edwardbrown3721]

Hope when they consecrate the church it's to San Justo

[@Christian-CTDC]

He is immortal now, tho not physically. Just remember, we die not when our physical body dies, but when no one remember us.

[@filipjezercic9735]

@@Christian-CTDC beautiful words there.

[@-Vitalis-]

Justo's message still lives on after his death and his masterpiece will be completed by the love and faith of others. ... In essence, he actually "hit the nail" on the core of christianity. Well played, Justo, well played.

[@MethshockFilms]

Great to see people are looking after his Cathedral just the way he would have wanted it. I've been touched by this project ever since I first saw it featured on Great Big Story. Can't wait to see what it'll look like once it's completely built.

[@gineli1130]

I found out about him during the pandemic and dreamed to visit this place when I go to Spain. My first paypal account was set up due to this. I gave a humble amount and wished him good health when he was still alive.

[@account2871]

The stone that has been rejected shall be the cornerstone. What a beautiful mission to make this literal.

[@CrabLadius]

This man should be canonized for the sheer potency and resilience of his faith. To work on a cathedral for sixty straight years until his death shows his adoration and love for God.

[@iuliuscaesar9078]

The power of faith.

[@suesmith9665]

A real love of his church ❤

[@anoncooks]

he was redeeming construction materials the same way God redeems us in our brokenness.

[@TheOakenTundrawolf]

Its good to hear that they are still working on this place!

[@StarFroggo]

Rest in peace Justo. You will not regret your work to show your devotion.

[@cainiwakura]

God Bless Him. And may his legacy live forever for god glory and to serve the people.

[@arthurschildgen5522]

It is terrible that they did not allow him to be buried there.

[@Helenhappy]

Rest In Peace 😔🙏

[@edgargalvan6483]

Un hombre con el espíritu de un santo su fé inquebrantable un ser así nace creo que cada mil años descansé en paz Justo Gallegos 🙏

[@patrickglenpatrick4480]

A man of God 😇😇

[@socio-economicnewsnetwork4740]

Rip Legend

[@fordalels]

Can this be named after him? At this point I think he's done enough to be considered a saint.

[@Samp759]

He still needs 2 miracles after prayer for intervention

[@b2stparadise]

​@@Samp759 Building a cathedral all alone isn't a miracle for you?

[@Samp759]

@@b2stparadise not according to the pontiff

[@calvinl5726]

​@@b2stparadiseit ain't enough too bad lol

[@donmanue3274]

He wanted the cathedral to be dedicated to the Virgen del Pilar, Holy mother of god. He saw himself like a humble serf. Be in peace Justo, que descanses en paz.

[@GalicianArca]

Everyone loved Justo Gallego but the people did not fulfill his one final wish which is the first person getting buried to the cathedrals crypt

[@user-unos111]

Sanitary reasons, supossedly. The pandemic may have something to do with that. I wouldn't be surprised ifhe was buried in the cathedral sometime in the future.

[@adrenaline4323]

His man had sheer faith God bless him

[@Lukas-lw4eg]

the fact that its not recognised by the Catholic Church is extremely disappointing and shameful of Vatican. That man should be declared saint.

[@royelias54]

love from India

[@georgeirungu6212]

Rest in Peace Julio

[@arresteddevelopment2158]

Amazing 🎉

[@kenziekylecfacundo829]

i hope the continue building this

[@pizzacheesecake1883]

Bro tought he was in minecraft 💀

[@JustinV_i_n_n_Y]

RIP🙏🙏 Its sad ended ONE DAY WHOLE WORLD SEE THAT CATHEDRAL 🫰🫰

[@markkevinneversleeps5552]

Requiescat in Pace😌

[@srini9083]

This should be the first wonder of the world 🙏 Don justo was a powerful master

[@tompsheridantsheridant7354]

**THIS MAN HAD A CREW OF PEOPLE HELPING HIM PUT THIS BUILDING UP!!**

[@KarolOfGutovo]

1:13 leave it to a layman to severly underestimate the structutal integrity of their materials and overbuild whatever they are doing.

[@ladoyman12gaming93]

Rest and peace

[@Findthetruth809]

glory to be to god

[@Pandacous]

Beautiful protect it as a national treasure not with govt. But with citizenry.

[@DamsusRhee]

Did he get to be buried within or under his cathedral as he asked to be? He said it was very important to him in the last video. I doubt he was allowed such a thing, but still.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

He was buried in the town's cemetery as the crypt, unfortunately, didn't meet Spanish sanitation standards. Hopefully, when the cathedral is finished, they can move him there.

[@DamsusRhee]

Thank you for this bit of knowledge! ^^@@kutter_ttl6786

[@sapphiredawn5773]

The things people can do when they set their mind to something

[@l0remipsum991]

Why it's not approved?

[@izenkixiron5173]

Gaudi's only competitor, to be honest. I wonder which will be finished first, this or the Sagrada Familia.

[@sdchuzzayt7712]

Wish God could let him complete 😔💔

[@drellz9361]

He had god wit him

[@Kachompsky]

Catedral de Santo Justo.

[@stefanpavlovic4534]

its a shame to call it scrape cathedral...have some respect for the man and his vision

[@ASqdrnDA]

I think it is also a testament to the builder and its own origins, that a cathedral made of scrap is still a cathedral, and not just anyone could build a cathedral from scrap.

[@screenmonkey]

It's a grand structure built of humble materials, by a man of humility. It is far grander than its parts. It's a message of conviction, faith, and is infact a gigantic prayer to his God. I'm pretty sure God and Jesus would be fine calling it a Scrap Cathedral

[@timexyemerald6290]

Scrap cathedral is actually massive complement. It directly shows the history of this cathedral and how much strugggle it took to start and build this cathedral. If i build a cathedral. I rather take name scrap cathedral name that was given by the people than naming it Golden Cathedral

[@BreadFred3]

Heard about the old man years ago. Now, I just found out he passed away and I'm saddened by it and as well, being late to be informed of his passing. The old man should have built a nice chapel instead of a cathedral.

[@sjoerdderks4731]

this catherdral would be sooner finished than the Sagrada Familia

[@pedroruizbaracat6109]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@JeremiahAranez]

18 "And I say to you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church,[b] and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it". ~ Jesus Christ 👑

[@bobskanal]

Fun fact! It's not a cathedral, because "cathedral" comes from the latin word "cathedra", which is originally greek, and means "seat". So a cathedral is the main church of the local bishop. The term "basilica" would be better.

[@memysurname7521]

👍

[@a0z9]

El primero que la re otorga, se queda con ella

[@fotisvon9943]

I wish to go and de there to -

[@manolososadavinci1937]

I was baptized a catholic as a baby but as a child I abandoned god after seeing him and his religion a flaw. 10 years later I came across videos of the guy he was going to build a whole cathedral by himself with his own hands and he asked the pope to bless his cathedral and to integrate it into the faith. But because he built it it not structurally safe.but his faith did glow it was interesting.sad to hear h passed away I’m sure his church will be sanctuary one day and he will be saint for his actions in life.

[@tenshisei]

can someone answer me please, why do places of worship need to be approved by the roman catholic church, why would it need a permit ?

[@temetitomimorronga4928]

It needs a construction permit from the spanish government

[@tenshisei]

@@temetitomimorronga4928 ah ok now i get it for the permit.

[@ThePassionFwuit]

New churches are typically commissioned, fundraised, and built by local church authorities and then must be officially consecrated by a bishop to be considered “a Catholic church”. In this case, Don Justo simply built the whole thing on his own initiative, not seeking permission from either the Spanish government or his local bishop. But I suspect by the time it’s actually finished, his work will gain the official approval of both in the end. I’m sure he has admirers in both camps.

[@deskmat9874]

It doesnt matter if it doesn't count as an official place of worship they are all just institutions made to make money and they are separate from real faith

[@danieldipalma704]

Better than Gaudi's ugly creation!

[@jcarlosglera3647]

I don't think it's that big of a deal either. God helped Justo and apparently God is also Spanish: so they had no problems with the language. With such a partner and taking into account that angels do not receive a salary... I don't see it as difficult. All those who object to Justo's wish for his church and object to his mortal remains being buried there... should keep in mind that his partner sometimes has a bad temper. Now they are warned, don't complain later.

[@dclarke792]

ugh lol

[@kalgeriax1016]

Rubbish huh. I am not well verse in Bible. But 1 thing that really points out to me is, Jesus accepts those are not perfect and teach and show them the way of goodness. Even after his Rises, his people and disciples continues his fight to free the human from sins. Sorry if I am wrong. It is same for this. A man who collects what the worlds thought is useless and rubbish, and used them to build a build that surprising holds better than anyone thoughts. Even after he died, his vision and passions passed down to others. And I found it funny how a Church Organization actually not acknowledge this. Permits? Since when god asking his people to apply for permits to worship him? No wonder newer generations have no love on Christianity.

[@AtheistRajput]

As a Hindu, respect ❤

[@user-ev5kx6hj7z]

Thats so wack, why did they wait for him to die before getting a team to help finish it. 😢 they could have helped him years ago and he would have seen it finished and maybe he would have lived longer after