 English |
Español |
 contents |
 databases |
news |
 e-mail |
search |
help |
St. James' Anglican Church, Punta
Arenas (estd. 1895)
As early as 1850, British missionaries, based in
the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) began to make contact with the Yaghan
people of the southern channels of Tierra del Fuego. Mission stations were
established, in an effort to educate and convert these "canoe people".
But such was the culture shock, and so devastating the "white man's"
diseases, that few Yaghans remained by the end of the century. During this period Punta Arenas, on the north shore
of the Strait of Magellan, developed from a penal colony into a thriving
town with a large non-Chilean population, many of them British. St. James'
Church was founded in 1895 
by
the Rev. John Williams, who spent many years as a missionary to the Yaghans.
The present building , close to the city centre on Calle Waldo Seguel
(same block as the British
School), opened its doors in 1899. While Punta Arenas thrived in the
first decades of the 20th century, the British community grew in economic
strength, and enlargements were made in 1929. At present, the interior
is simply furnished with wooden pews, altar and several cheerful stained-glass
windows.
by
the Rev. John Williams, who spent many years as a missionary to the Yaghans.
The present building , close to the city centre on Calle Waldo Seguel
(same block as the British
School), opened its doors in 1899. While Punta Arenas thrived in the
first decades of the 20th century, the British community grew in economic
strength, and enlargements were made in 1929. At present, the interior
is simply furnished with wooden pews, altar and several cheerful stained-glass
windows.Falling membership during the 1930-40's left the church
without a resident chaplain for 40 years. Since 1993, a Chilean-born Anglican
minister has been based in Punta Arenas, and the Chilean congregation
is thriving. Nowadays, there are few British-born people left in Magallanes:
but the church still serves families of British descent, and English-language
services are held regularly.
Links: Church Magazine, Memorial Plaques, Chaplains, Parish Registers