Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor

From a simple gathering in a home on Calle López de Hoyos in 1871, the Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor has blossomed into a cornerstone of faith in Madrid’s Prosperidad neighborhood. Teodoro Calvo and his wife opened their doors, sowing the seeds of what would become a lasting testament to devotion. The Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor wasn’t built in a day. It’s a story of resilience, shaped by both challenges and unwavering belief. After the Calvos passed, their children continued the evangelical work, partnering with the Baptist Mission and Teófilo Vickman in 1915. A second Baptist church opened on Calle Guindalera but later returned to the Calvo family home on López de Hoyos. The church even housed a small evangelical school, highlighting its commitment to education and spiritual growth. The Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor reached out with missionary zeal, establishing locations in Ventas, Cuatro Caminos, Calle Ayala, Puente de Segovia, and Puente de Vallecas. However, a campaign against evangelical gatherings in 1919 forced the closure of all but two locations: Lavapiés and the one in Prosperidad. The Baptist Mission, facing pressure, decided to close the Prosperidad location in 1930. The congregation, however, refused to let their faith be extinguished. Declaring their independence, they continued their worship, led by theology students and pastors from various churches. The Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor rejoined the Baptist community in 1956, affiliating with the Unión Evangélica Bautista Española. This marked a new chapter, culminating in the construction of their current sanctuary in 1967 at Plaza Getafe 1 in the heart of Prosperidad. Today, the Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor thrives with around 160 active members and a larger community extending its mission to Toledo and Ávila. More than just a building, the Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor embodies the enduring power of faith. It stands as a beacon of hope and community, a testament to the unwavering spirit of those who kept its flame alive through trials and triumphs.