St George's Anglican Church, Madrid Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St George's Anglican Church, Madrid
Capilla Británica
Iglesia Anglicana de San Jorge

40°25′35.39″N 3°40′58.27″W / 40.4264972°N 3.6828528°W / 40.4264972; -3.6828528
Location	Madrid
Country	Spain
Denomination	Church of England
History
Status	Church
Dedication	Saint George
Consecrated	1925
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Teodoro de Anasagasti
Style	Romanesque Revival with neo-Mudéjar elements
Years built	1923
Groundbreaking	1923
Administration
Archdeaconry	Gibraltar
Diocese	Europe
Province	Canterbury

St George's Anglican Church, also known as the British Chapel, is a special church in Madrid, Spain. It's part of the Church of England, which is a Christian church. This beautiful building was finished in 1923 and officially opened in March 1925. You can find it in the Recoletos area of Madrid.

The Story of St George's Church
- How the Church Began
- Building the Church
Church Design and Features
Gallery
See also

The Story of St George's Church

How the Church Began

The story of St George's Church started a long time ago, in 1864. An Anglican chaplain named Reverend William Campbell came to Madrid. He began holding church services in a small room in a private house. Later, a larger space was provided for the growing community.

In 1900, the old British Embassy's coach house was turned into a church. People wanted a proper church building. Funds were raised with help from Mr. Edgar Allen and many English-speaking people.

Building the Church

The construction of the current church began in 1923. A Spanish architect named Teodoro de Anasagasti designed it. He mixed traditional Spanish styles, like Spanish Romanesque and Mudéjar, with features common in Anglican churches. The church was officially opened in 1925.

Since then, St George's has become a welcoming place for people from all over the world. Its community includes people from about 26 different countries who speak English.

Church Design and Features

Outside the Church

St George's Church sits on a rectangular piece of land. It has a small garden that separates it from the street. The architect, Teodoro de Anasagasti, made sure the church blended Spanish traditions with Anglican design. For example, he included a porch and a special area called the chancel.

Inside the Church

The church has a single main hall, called a nave. This hall runs from north to south. There's also a transept, which is like the arms of a cross shape. At the end is the chancel, where the altar is located. The altar is a raised platform where services are held.

On the left side of the church, there is a sacristy. This is a room where priests prepare for services. Next to the sacristy, there's a tower built in the Mudéjar style.

Beautiful Stained-Glass Windows

The church is famous for its colorful stained-glass windows.

In the chancel, you can see windows showing important saints. These include Saint George, who is the patron saint of England, and Saint James the Great, the patron saint of Spain. There are also windows of Saint John, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul.
In the nave, other windows show Saint David of Wales, Saint Andrew (patron of Scotland), Saint Patrick (patron of Ireland), and Saint Francis of Assisi.
In the north choir, there are windows of Saint Cecilia and Saint Anthony Abbot.
Near the entrance, in the porch, you can see a window showing the birth of Jesus.