Parish of Santa Teresa and San Giuseppe

In the heart of the Chamberí district in Madrid stands the Parish of Santa Teresa and San José, a monumental church that combines the grandeur of religious architecture with the intimacy of Carmelite devotion. This temple, also known as the National Temple of Santa Teresa de Jesús and Convent of the Carmelite Fathers, is a place of great historical, artistic, and spiritual importance. The construction of the church began in 1916 and was completed in 1928. The project was entrusted to the architect Jesús Carrasco-Muñoz Encina, who adopted a neo-Gothic style influenced by Art Nouveau, combining traditional and modernist elements in a harmonious synthesis. The main façade, facing Plaza de España, is characterized by a series of spires and flying buttresses reminiscent of Gothic architecture, while floral decorations and geometric motifs reveal the modernist influence. The church is dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint Joseph, two central figures in Carmelite spirituality. Saint Teresa of Jesus, reformer of the Carmelite Order, is venerated for her deep spirituality and literary works, while Saint Joseph is the universal patron of the Catholic Church and a model of virtue and dedication. One of the most distinctive elements of the Parish of Santa Teresa and San José is its dome, which rises majestically above the presbytery. This dome, decorated with mosaics and colored stained glass, creates a play of light and shadow that envelops the interior of the church in an atmosphere of mystical beauty. The stained glass windows, created by the artist Maumejean, depict scenes from the life of Christ and the Carmelite saints, and are an extraordinary example of 20th-century sacred art. Inside, the church has a Latin cross plan with three naves separated by neo-Gothic columns. The main altar, richly decorated, is surmounted by a golden canopy and houses a statue of Saint Teresa of Jesus. On either side of the altar are two chapels dedicated to Saint Joseph and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, both adorned with works of art reflecting Carmelite devotion. The Parish of Santa Teresa and San José is not only a place of worship, but also a center of community and social life. The Carmelite fathers, who reside in the adjacent convent, play an active role in the parish, offering spiritual assistance and promoting educational and charitable activities. The church also hosts numerous liturgical celebrations, including festivities dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint Joseph, which attract many faithful from across the city. A significant episode in the church’s history concerns its consecration in 1928. During the ceremony, attended by ecclesiastical and civil authorities, the importance of the church as a symbol of Carmelite spirituality and as a meeting place for the community was emphasized. Since then, the church has continued to play a central role in the religious and social life of Chamberí. From an artistic point of view, the Parish of Santa Teresa and San José houses a series of valuable works of art. In addition to the stained glass windows and mosaics, the church is adorned with paintings and sculptures that tell the life of the saints and the mysteries of the Christian faith. Among these works stand out the statues of Saint Teresa and Saint Joseph, made of carved and painted wood, which represent with great realism and devotion the figures of the two saints. In recent decades, the church has undergone several restoration interventions to preserve its beauty and integrity. These works, funded thanks to the support of the community and institutions, have allowed the original decorations to be recovered and the building’s structure to be improved, ensuring that it can continue to be a place of prayer and meeting for future generations.