This chapel is located in Santa Elena estate, previously owned by Ricardo Vial Correa. After his death, his widow, Elena Cifuentes, José Filomeno Cifuentes’ daugther, decided to build a chapel in his memory. Thus, the chapel, designed by architect Jorge Yáñez Zabala, was founded in 1947. Elena Cifuentes had planned, at an early stage, building the chapel as a hermitage along with a convent, since her intention was including a seminar, but eventually she granted the construction to Don Guanella charity foundation. At first, the chapel was called Ermita de San Ricardo (Saint Richard Hermitage), but then the name was changed to its current denomination.

In 1984, the charity foundation opened a school in the premises. In 1960, it founded the Hogar San Ricardo (Saint Richard Home), honoring the late land owner, which takes care of children and youngsters with intellectual disabilities.

The chapel was declared National Monument in 1999 due to its architectural expression that is the result of the common efforts of artisans and builders that were able to skillfully work the noble materials used in the construction.

The 2010 earthquake caused serious damages, so it cannot be used at the present time. The community is pursuing fundraising efforts in order to develop, together with the National Monument Council, a reconstruction and restoration plan for this building that is pivotal for the spiritual and religious community development of Batuco town.

Nowadays, restoration processes have intervened in the generation of new spaces, such as an esplanade for ceremonies, a funeral chapel and an atrium for bringing together parishioners and celebrating outdoor masses. Reconstruction and restoration works under the direction of architects Raúl Irarrázabal, Ignacio Montaner and Macarena Mery have been completed and were already handed over to the Batuco community.