At the end of the nineteenth century, the priest Don Angelo Pelà initiated an important educational and social project in Este. In 1898, he allocated a family plot for a playground, and the following year he donated further spaces along the current Viale Fiume for the construction of the parish center, supported by the parishes of Santa Tecla and delle Grazie.
From the early years of the twentieth century, the parish center became a lively community hub: a library, a summer newspaper for children, a musical band, sports clubs, a singing school, and a drama club enlivened the city life. Don Pelà organized religion lessons for children, students, and workers, while from 1903 an evening gathering for young people was also active.
In 1905, to prevent its sale at auction, the priests of the Cathedral and delle Grazie purchased the building. A few years later, construction of a new complex was started, completed in 1911: a central building housing administration, a school, and accommodation for priests, a wing with porticos, classrooms, and meeting rooms, and a connection building for services.
Since then, the parish center has remained an educational and social reference point for generations of citizens, symbolizing a community formed through culture, participation, and solidarity.
