El Camino (The Way) evangelical church in the Spanish northwestern city of A Coruña, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

The church traces its origins back to 1875, when British missionaries Thomas Blamire and James Wiston founded the first evangelical community in the region of Galicia.

Since then, the congregation has experienced growth, changes, as well as periods of persecution during the Franco regime, while maintaining its focus on teaching the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ.

Cultural and spiritual programme

Through a programme of cultural, social and spiritual activities, the congregation aims to share its history and renew its commitment to the city, reports the Buenas Noticias TV (Good News TV) program of the Spanish public television.

One of the anniversary activities was a concert by the Vida gospel choir at the Colón theatre, A Coruña’s largest venue, which was attended by more than 600 people.

The church also organised exhibitions, film screenings, children’s Olympics and a musical about the life of Jesus performed by the children of the congregation.

Furthermore, a special commemorative Bible has been published, featuring the Tower of Hercules, one of the most emblematic monuments of the city, on its cover.

Social engagement

Social engagement has been a distinctive feature of the church since its early days. In 1875, when illiteracy in Galicia exceeded 80%, the congregation opened a free school to teach reading and writing.

Today, “this legacy continues through the distribution of food and clothing, training courses and collaboration with social action organisations such as Diaconía Spain to support vulnerable families”, Timoteo Figueirido, pastor of El Camino church told Buenas Noticias TV.

Route of Protestant footprints

The community has also recovered its own history with the Route of Protestant Footprints, a guided tour showing the original places of worship, the first members’ businesses, and the civil and British cemeteries where evangelical Christians are buried.

The route also recalls the time of the Francisco Franco dictatorship, when the church was closed, forcing believers to meet in private homes and baptise new members on nearby beaches.

Rooted in the gospel

El Camino evangelical church currently has around 150 members, and holds additional gatherings in the nearby towns of Muxía and Carballo. It brings together children, youth and adults in Sunday services and small groups, and actively promotes unity within the evangelical movement in Galicia and across Spain.

“We want people to know us, to know who we are and what our message is”, said church leaders.

Beyond generational and cultural differences, the congregation stresses that its unity “is based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and on the conviction that his message is still relevant today”.

As it celebrates its anniversary, El Camino “looks to the future with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and a renewed determination to serve its community with values such as respect, tolerance and love of neighbour”.