On the foundation of the Episcopal Church in Seville, 1871

Taken from the book: Church Reform in Spain and Portugal

The story of the Reformed Episcopal Churches of Spain and Portugal,
written by Rev. H.E. Noyes D.D. in 1897, published by Cassell

Chapter 1. Seville

On Sunday, June 11th, 1871, in the fine old city of SEVILLE, in the south of Spain, there might have been seen a large number of people making their way to the church of San Basilio, in the Calle Relator. By the time the service commenced there were about 1,200 persons present. Some (about 200) well understood the purpose of the gathering, but the greater part had come out of curiosity, for this was the first public service of what is now known as "the Reformed Spanish Church," and at least 1,000 Spaniards then heard for the first time the Gospel of free pardon through the blood of Christ. The service was liturgical, and on the lines of our own Church of England. The opening sentences from our morning prayer, the general confession and absolution, the Venite, the Litany, the general thanksgiving, and a few of the collects had been translated into Spanish, and formed part of the service. Two chapters from the Bible were read, and four hymns sung. Among the latter were, "Just as I am," and "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds"! both of which were heartily rendered in Spanish music.

The sermon was preached by the Rev. Francisco Palomares, an ex-priest of the Church of Rome, from the words "God so loved the world" (John iii., 16). The congregation was so struck by the word spoken that the preacher was often interrupted by expressions of approval such as, "That is the truth!" "Good-very good!" "True, true!" etc. etc.

This scene, which everyone who knows Spain must acknowledge to have been a remarkable one, was the result of a combination of circumstances equally striking. The church was opened in 1871, three years after religious liberty had been declared in Spain. It was difficult before that date for foreigners even to hold a service at any seaport for their own countrymen; and for Spaniards to assemble for any religious purposes other than Roman Catholic was an impossibility. However, in 1868, a revolution took place under the patriot general Prim, one result of which was, that a measure of religious liberty was given to the people - a privilege of which many were only too ready to avail themselves.

At this time there resided in Seville an English clergyman, the Rev. L.S. Tugwell, who may be described as the father of this Episcopal development of Reform. Mr. Tugwell had gone to Seville for his health, having been invalided home from the mission field in British North America. The condition of things in Spain just then may be realised when we consider the difficulties of Mr. Tugwell in ministering to a small congregation of English people. If responses were to be said, or hymns sung, both doors and windows had to be closed, every measure being taken to avoid publicity. Mr. Tugwell watched closely the result of the revolution, and soon felt that a long-wished-for day had arrived, and that something should be done to aid those Spaniards who had earnestly expressed to him their desire for more in the way of spiritual food than Rome had to offer. An appeal was made to the English public, through the Church papers, and the result was that sufficient money was received to purchase the Church of San Basilio from the Spanish government. This church originally belonged to the Friars of the Order of Saint Basil; but that Order having been suppressed, the building had been offered for sale,

When the church was purchased there was no one to occupy the pulpit. God, however, provided in a remarkable and unexpected way for this difficulty. In the report of the "Spanish Evangelical Mission," as it was then called, for 1871, we read how these reformers secured for the Church of San Basilio the services of the Rev. Francisco Palomares, an ex-Roman Catholic priest. The circumstances of his enlightenment are deeply interesting.

Palomares was chaplain to a Spanish nobleman, and, in the exercise of his duty, came to England in the year 1869. Brought up, in common with most Spaniards, to believe that protestantism and infidelity were synonymous terms, he was much struck by our English Sunday, and the number of churches filled with devout worshippers. being of an inquiring mind, he studies the subject, and eventually became acquainted with the Rev. J.A.Ashton, the labouring in kensington, whose teaching and ministry were greatly blessed to him. When Mr. Tugwell was appealing through the English press for funds to obtain the church and train a Spanish clergyman, Mr. Ashton wrote to say that God had prepared the man, and that Señor Palomares was ready to go back to Spain and preach the faith which once he destroyed.

The matter was arranged, and from that day to the present the Rev. F. Palomares has worked earnestly and successfully at San Basilio, and his ministry has been much prospered. Sunday by Sunday from the pulpit of his church, within a few feet of the tomb of a former Inquisitor, is the Gospel preached. Day and Sunday schools are held, and a young men's society has been formed, some of the members acting as evangelists in the city and neighbourhood. So mightily has the Word of God prevailed.

Church of the Ascension

The Rev. Palomares has also obtained a University degree as a doctor, in order that while ministering to the bodies of his poorer fellow-citizens he might gain the opportunity of pointing them to the Great Physician. Daily he is consulted by many, who gladly listen to an explanation of the gospel story. In the Report for 1871 the following interesting account of a service is given by Mr. Tugwell: "When in Seville last November I had the pleasure of being present with the Bishop of Gibraltar (Dr. Harris), the Rev. W.A.Campbell, and other friends at the first evening service held in the Church of San Basilio (the gas having only just been laid on). The congregation was large and attentive, and an admirable sermon was preached by Palomares, who afterwards administered the lord's Supper to thirty-seven Spanish Christians. it was a solemn and blessed season. What a change has God in His mercy wrought! A church which was for so long sunk in dark idolatry and superstition has been filled with Christian light, and consecrated to the service of the Lord Jesus and the simple ministration of His Gospel. The altar of the Romish mass has given place to the Christian Communion-table, 'the Lord's board,' as our Reformers called it, where the Holy Supper is celebrated according to Christ's ordinance in all those things that are of necessity requisite to the same. the space over the table which had been occupied with the image of the Virgin Mary, set there for adoration, but which was carried away with other ornaments of the church, will shortly be filled with the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the ten Commandments, one of which proclaims with the authority of God, 'Thou shalt not make unto thee and graven image'... The blessed Gospel of the Grace of God is proclaimed from the pulpit, and a small chapel, which once belonged to an officer of the Inquisition, is now our Baptistery, where already several little ones have been dedicated to God, and sworn to contend manfully for the faith once delivered to the saints."

Besides the work at San Basilio in Seville, there is also that in connection with the Church of the Ascension. This church, formerly called the Church of the Assumption, is situated in one of the best squares of Seville, just opposite the "Museo" (which contains a large collection of Murillo's exquisite pictures), and is commodious and handsome.

In the year 1872, this building, formerly a convent church, was offered for public sale by the Spanish Government, and purchased by Mr. C.H. Bousefield, a warm and generaous friend of the Reformed Chruch. It was bought with two objects in view; first, for the accommodation of the small English community in Seville, and secondly, for the services of the Spanish Reformed Church. Many difficulties, raised by the authorities, prevented it being opened at once, but since these were overcome until the present time, services have been regularly held. From the position of the church the congregation represents a better class than is the case with some of our churches, where the people are for the most part very poor. That English services are held in part of the building is a happy circumstance, and British chaplains have again and again borne testimony to the reality and promise of the work of the Reformed Church in Seville.

The following account of the opening services, written by an English clergyman who was present, will be found interesting. "The church was solemnly opened by a series of services, the first of which was held on November 5th. The prayers were read by the Rev. F. Palomares, and the sermon preached by Señor Aguilera. The church was filled, many students and soldiers being amongst those present. The sermon was very powerful, and was listened to with the greatest attention. The text wa taken from St. Matthew xxviii. 19-20. The services were continued every evening up to Sunday November 12th, the Rev. F. Palomares and Aguilera preaching alternately. The interest in the services increased daily till it culminated on Sunday evening in a great crowd. Every available space was occupied; Señor Aguilera was again the preacher. His text was John vi. 56, and his extraordinary eloquence and powerful discourse produced a great impression. Notwithstanding the number present, the greatest order prevailed. After the sermon there was an administration of the Lord's Supper, at which I assisted. The whole congregation remained in church.

And so on...

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