Anglican Church (Templo Inglés), Montevideo

The English church, in Montevideo

The English church is an Anglican church at the edge of the Rambla of Montevideo, whose construction goes back to 1840, a rare fact in Catholic Hispanic America. The Montevideo audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this Protestant sanctuary, witness of the British presence and of the upheavals of the Great War of the Rio de la Plata.

The Anglican church at the edge of the Rambla

Contrasting a little with the rest of the landscape, you discover here, at the edge of the Rambla, the English church. It is quite rare to find a Protestant church, and more precisely an Anglican church, in Hispanic America, deeply marked by Catholicism since the colonisation. Its construction goes back to 1840, which makes it one of the oldest Protestant churches still in activity of the continent. At that time, the region was plunged into what is today called the Great War, that gathers the civil wars of Argentina and Uruguay: it lasted from 1839 to 1851, and everyone got involved. There were two opposed camps of Argentines, two opposed camps of Uruguayans, but also Italian volunteers led by Garibaldi, French, English and other foreigners, in a conflict of great complexity. The presence of an important British community in Montevideo, merchants, sailors and diplomats, explains the construction of this church for their intention. A sober and elegant building, it testifies, with respect, to the religious diversity of Uruguay, a country that adopted very early a strict separation of Church and State, making it one of the most secular of Latin America. Inside, in the calm conducive to contemplation, the sanctuary keeps its British atmosphere and its stained-glass windows. An Anglican church and a witness of history, the English church is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, an Anglican church at the edge of the Rambla, whose construction goes back to 1840, a rare fact in Catholic Hispanic America; built for the important British community of Montevideo at the time of the Great War of the Rio de la Plata, it is one of the oldest Protestant churches in activity of the continent and testifies to the religious diversity of secular Uruguay. The English church is a witness of the history of Montevideo. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The English church lies at the edge of the Rambla, in Montevideo, reachable on foot. An Anglican place of worship, it can be visited with respect; entry and hours follow the conditions of the place, which vary. It is best to enquire before coming and to respect the sacred character of the building.

Why is there an English church in Montevideo?

Because of the presence of an important British community in Montevideo, merchants, sailors and diplomats, for whom this Anglican church was built in 1840, at the time of the Great War of the Rio de la Plata; a rare fact in Catholic Hispanic America, it is one of the oldest Protestant churches in activity of the continent, witness of the religious diversity of secular Uruguay.