Our History

The architect who designed our church was Sr. Carlos Sobron. When he presented his plans the Church Committee spontaneously rose and applauded him, because the plans were just what they had hoped for. To their amazement and delight, Sr Sobron told them he would not charge for the plans as he never expected to be asked to design a church again.

The lovely wall behind the altar was built by a local Mallorcan stonemason, Miguel, from nearby Genova.

He told us that he built it with love and care because he felt it might serve as his memorial. He also said that he had placed the darker stones in a meaningful way.

Miguel stood at its consecration with tears in his eyes.

A few days later he died, taking the solution to the mystery of the dark stones with him….

Not everything in our church is new. The communion or sanctuary rails, the pulpit and pews of northern pine all came from the old church (a former soda water factory) in El Terreno. The altar had been intended by the architect to be constructed in beautiful wood to contrast with the stone of the walls but eventually it was decided to have a traditional stone altar.

The Triptych is traditional in style and contrasts pleasantly with the very simple and modern interior of our church. It shows ‘Our Lady of Peace’ with an ‘aureole’ of the heads of nine children, representing all the ethnic groups of mankind. On either side of this central painting are our saints of title: St Philip and St James. The triptych was painted by the Croatian-born Peruvian artist Kristian Krekovic and was commissioned and donated to our church in 1973 by a faithful member and sidesman of our congregation, the late Mr Eric Beeby.

From 1960 on, Kristian Krekovic resided in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where he died in 1985. Mallorca has a museum named after him devoted predominantly to his art.

At the top of this page you see our large stained glass window. The APOSTLES (from the Greek `apostolos’ – person sent) were the twelve disciples chosen by Christ to be sent on special missions of preaching and healing.

They were in continuous attendance on Christ and were the recipients of his special teaching and training.

The Apostles St. Peter, St. James the greater and St. John formed the inner circle who alone were permitted to witness such events as : The Raising of Jairus’ daughter. (MARK 5:37, LUKE 8:51) The Transfiguration. (MARK 9, MATT 17, LUKE 9) The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. (MARK 14:33, MATT 26:37)

Special importance seems to have been attached to the number twelve, which some scholars interpret as a reference to the twelve tribes of Israel. When a gap had been left by the defection and death of the traitor Judas Iscariot, immediate steps were taken to fill it by the election of the Apostle St. Matthias.

Baptismal Window

Donated by Mr. Elliott

Showing a much loved former priest baptising the donor’s son.

Above is the beautiful dove, quickly adopted as a symbol of our church.

Memorial Window

Donated by Mrs. C. Galloway

This window engages the eye with full vibrancy of the many hues of red – poppies indeed being symbolical for remembrance.

Abstractions of elongated leaves lead the eye into a dense and variegated whirl of yellow flowers, predominantly mimosa. …

Marine Window

Donated by Mrs. E. Kinnear

The foremost request of the donor runs as a theme throughout the window. The marine theme reminds us of Mr. Kinnear’s profession at of captain in the Merchant navy. The coat of arms of his Oxford college and the flag of his company which has the Scottish St. Andrews cross in the background … Here we find a lot of horizontal lines, from the sturdy bollard at the quayside where the ships berth the eye travels across the harbour to the signal tower of Pelaires…

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