Tenerife is home to beautiful ornate churches, some big, some small, some are even in caves! Your friends at My Destination Tenerife have put together a guide to local church services which are held in English and Spanish.
OK, we admit it, we haven’t exactly visited all the churches on the island but we know that worship and pray are an important part of the lives of thousands of visitors who don’t just want sun and sea when they get here...more like sun, sea and spirituality (and we’re not talking about the type of spirits served with ice and lemon!).
Let’s put religion into context here. In Tenerife, it’s fair to say that the majority of residents consider themselves to be Roman Catholic. Many attend church every Sunday and religious festivals and special days are a big deal over here. They can be real lavish affairs with vibrant colours and costumes, music, dancing, singing and worship. And they’re not just for believers; non-religious people can enjoy them just as much as they are a real spectacle, a treat for the eyes. If you’re looking for great photographs with a difference, you’re bound to get some unique holiday snapshots if you happen upon one of the many Romerias...with our guide to Tenerife church services and religious festivals and celebrations, you can take part if you want, or just admire the awesome processions.
Way back in the day, there was a bloke called Santo Hermano Pedro de San José Betancurt, let’s call him Brother Peter for short. Think of him as a Mother Teresa type figure for Tenerife – basically a lovely, kind, giving man who did a lot of work for poor, needy and sick. He was born in up the mountain in Vilaflor and lived in a cave in Grandilla de Abona during his youth. This cave (pictured) is now a shrine visited by locals, particularly on Sundays, who want to pay homage to this missionary who has since been canonised in the Roman Catholic hall of fame. This place is such a popular place of worship a man can regularly be seen selling homemade ice-cream outside!
The obvious place to start is with the home of Sonora de la Candelaria, the patron of the Canary Islands.
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria: Plaza de Basílica, Candelaria, Santa Cruz, 38530, Tenerife
Monday to Friday: 07:30 – 13:00 & 15:00 – 19:30. Mass held at 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Saturday, Sundays & festivals at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00 & 18:00.
Tel: 922500100
St. Francis Anglican Chaplaincy: San Eugenio Church, Pueblo Canario, Playa de las Américas, 922 691221. Services: Holy Eucharist (sung) Sunday 10.15am & Holy Eucharist (said) Wednesday 10.15am.
St. Francis Anglican Chaplaincy: The Holy Spirit Church (La Iglesia del Espiritu Santo), in the main church square, Los Gigantes. Services: Holy Eucharist (sung) Sunday 6pm & Holy Eucharist (sung) Thursday at 10.30am.
St. Francis Anglican Chaplaincy: San Blas Church (Iglesia de San Blas), Centro Commercial San Blas, Golf del Sur, Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife. Services: Sundays 6.00 pm - Holy Eucharist (sung)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Parroquia Nuetra Señora del Monte Carmelo): Avenida de Suecia, Los Cristianos. Services: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 9am and Saturday 7pm. Youth mass on Sundays at 9am.
Our Lady of Guadalupe: Behind the tax office on Avenida del Arquitecto Gomez Cuesta, Los Cristianos. Services: Sundays at 10am
Roman Catholic: Nuestra Señora de la Piedad:Calle Quintana, Puerto de la Cruz. Services every Sunday at 10am.
All Saints Church: Parque Taoro area in Puerto de la Cruz. Services: Holy Communion every Sunday at 9.30am. Eucharist every Sunday at 11am & Wednesdays at 10am.
South Tenerife Christian Fellowship: First floor of the Apolo Commercial Centre. Services: Every Sunday at 11am & 6pm (with communion). A bible study class is held on Thursdays at 5pm and ‘prayers, praise & pastries’ is held at 7pm.
Los Cristianos International Church (Evangelical Interdenominational Church): Based in Hotel Princesa Dacil, Avenida Juan Carlos, Los Cristianos. Services every Sunday at 11am & Ladies prayer service every Thursday at 11am.
Silencio Christian Fellowship: Coral Mar Square, Costa del Silencio. Services: Every Sunday at 11am & 6.30pm.
Roman Catholic: Nuestra Señora de la Piedad: Calle Quintana, Puerta de la Cruz. Services: Every Sunday mass is held at 10am.