Didn’t German-speaking immigrants yearn for pastoral care here? They wanted to practice their faith. They also wanted their children educated within their Protestant beliefs. This led to the establishment of what we know today as Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata – Congregación Evangélica Alemana.
The Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata emerged from these desires. Buenos Aires had German speakers since the early 19th century. Officially, the church dates back to October 1843. This is when the Argentine state recognized it. This month is important. The Evangelical Church remembers “The Protestant Reformation” then.
Let’s step back a bit. A few German evangelicals arrived in the Río de la Plata area earlier in the 19th century. They didn’t have a formal group. They shared Protestant beliefs. Initially, they found spiritual guidance in English and Scottish churches. German Protestants were first noted in 1821. They joined English and North Americans. Together they created the first Protestant Cemetery.
Two decades later, they formed their own community. On June 12, 1842, German evangelicals decided something important. They asked Germany to send a pastor and teacher. The Regional Church of Prussia responded. They sent Pastor Augusto Luis Siegel.
The first Protestant service in German took place on September 10, 1843. State recognition arrived on October 18, 1843. Since then, this date marks the founding of the Congregación Evangélica Alemana in Buenos Aires.
Early services occurred in the Anglican Church. From September 8, 1844, they used their own spaces. These were rented for both church and school. On October 13, 1851, they laid the cornerstone for their own church. Finally, on February 11, 1853, they opened the church on Calle Esmeralda.
After World War I, in 1922, the buildings were remodeled. A large building was constructed behind the temple. It housed apartments and administrative offices. Parish halls were added next door. This replaced the old parsonage and school. The temple expanded in 1923. The current organ was installed in 1912 by the Walcker company. It still makes beautiful music today.
The Congregación approved its first statutes on September 5, 1847. After several changes, they were finalized on November 24, 1989.
Two anniversaries hold significance for this congregation. One is the 180th anniversary. It marks the official recognition of the Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata. The other is the 170th anniversary. It celebrates the inauguration of the main temple.
Andrea Rodríguez Weiss is the president of the CEABA. She said these anniversaries inspire gratitude. She calls it a gift from God. It brings together the living stones of this Protestant church. It also unites them with the artistic stones of its beautiful neo-Gothic building on Esmeralda Street.
This building impacted the Buenos Aires landscape of the 19th century. That’s why they call it a Jubilee year. It is a year of joy. It moves them to celebrate with the families of their evangelical community. It also includes laity, pastors, vicars, and friends.
The Iglesia Evangélica del Río de la Plata stands as a testament to faith. It also represents community and architectural beauty. Its history is woven into the fabric of Buenos Aires.