“Is this a castle?”, I overheard a child ask his mother. Indeed, Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador does resemble a castle. It stands majestically on Avenida Cramer. Today, we explore the story of this unique church in Belgrano.
Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador’s origins trace back to 1824. That year, the Argentine government allowed the first Anglican religious service. As Buenos Aires grew in the mid-19th century, many residents moved to areas like Belgrano. British residents desired their own church. Bishop Waite Stirling authorized the land purchase on March 13, 1896.
Construction of Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador proceeded rapidly. It was completed in just six and a half months. The church opened on November 8, 1896. Bishop Stirling led the ceremony with about 350 people attending.
Walter Bassett Smith designed Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador. He was known for his picturesque work in Mar del Plata. He also designed the Balcarce Palace in Recoleta. A British newspaper at the time called it the most beautiful Protestant church in South America.
Fabio Grementieri, an architecture expert, notes its medieval inspiration. The church features Romanesque arches. Tudor-style battlements add to its unique design. Combining different styles was common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Anglican Church officially began services here in 1825. This followed a treaty with Great Britain. The treaty allowed non-Catholic religions. The San Juan Bautista Cathedral was built in 1831. It is the oldest non-Catholic temple in South America. Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador followed later, in 1896.
Initially, Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador served British immigrants. There was no intention to proselytize. The Catholic Church’s role was respected. Belgrano’s English community numbered around 2,000. They wanted their own parish. So Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador became an extension of the Cathedral.
The community first established a small chapel nearby. Later, they bought land that was once a racetrack. The Belgrano R train station had opened twenty years earlier. The Belgrano Athletic Club was founded that August.
Today, Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador welcomes everyone. It is a Christian church open to all. The Bible is central. Jesus is seen as the mediator between God and people.
The Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador has verandas. Estudio Ubicacion remodeled them in 2007. The area covers 240 square meters.
Many passersby pause to admire Iglesia Anglicana San Salvador. Its stone structure seems timeless. Though built for the English, it now embraces all. As Pastor Hernán Dei Castelli says, it’s the church for today’s neighborhood, not just the past.