Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sevilla)

The Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús is a modest but historically layered church tucked into the San Lorenzo neighbourhood of Seville, on Calle Jesús del Gran Poder. It is easy to walk past among the dense old-town buildings, yet its story spans more than four centuries and three very different chapters — from a Catholic religious order, through a brief Protestant experiment, to today's Jesuit parish.

How did the church come to be, and who used it first?

The building's story starts in 1589, when Archbishop Rodrigo de Castro and the city council approved the founding of a college for the Minim friars in Seville, with support from Ana María de Leyva. The friars were given houses on the former Calle de las Palmas — today's Calle Jesús del Gran Poder, in the San Lorenzo parish. The college trained novices and students there, and its church served that community for more than two and a half centuries.

Why did ownership of the church change so dramatically?

The building's fortunes turned after the 1868 Revolution. Spain's new government confiscated church property, and this particular building was sold to the Bible Society of London. That sale had an unusual result: the church became the first Protestant place of worship in Seville, run by John Sutherland Black.

Things changed again in 1887, when Dolores Armero y Benjumea — a woman who would later become a Salesian nun — bought the building back from Black and handed it over to the Jesuits. The church has remained in Jesuit hands ever since, and its current name and dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus date from this period.

What does the church look like today?

When the Jesuits took over in 1887, the former Minim convent was restored, and the work left the building with a mix of styles: neo-Gothic and Baroque elements sit alongside Mudéjar details, the decorative style that blends Christian and Moorish influences typical of Andalusian architecture. That layering makes the interior stand out from many other churches in Seville's historic centre, where a single, uniform style usually dominates.

The church still functions as an active parish, so the best time to visit is during its regular opening hours for worshippers and services — it is worth checking these locally or with the parish, since they can shift with the liturgical calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the church located? It stands in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood of Seville, on Calle Jesús del Gran Poder — the same site where a college of the Minim order was established in the late 16th century.

Who runs the church today? Since 1887 the church has belonged to the Jesuits, who received it from Dolores Armero y Benjumea after a period when the building served as a Protestant church.

Is it true the church was once Protestant? Yes. After church property was confiscated following the 1868 Revolution, the building was bought by the Bible Society of London, which turned it into the first Protestant house of worship in Seville.

What architectural style does the building show today? Following the Jesuit restoration, the building combines neo-Gothic, Baroque, and Mudéjar elements, giving it an architectural mix that sets it apart from neighbouring churches.