Spanish speakers in English-speaking churches
Latin Americans have been settling in London for decades, many working long hours in cleaning, hospitality and care, and many of them deeply rooted in faith. Some attend Spanish-language congregations. Others join the local parish or evangelical church, sometimes because it is close to work, sometimes because their children want an English-speaking youth group, and sometimes simply because they were invited.
Spanish speakers from Spain are part of the picture too: nurses and doctors in the NHS, researchers, au pairs and students. They often speak good English, yet a sermon is still easier in the language you were raised in. A live sermon translation into Spanish helps a first-generation mother follow the same message as her bilingual teenagers.
Churches in Spain with Spanish neighbours
Turn it around and the same tool serves English-speaking churches on the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca, Mallorca or the Canaries. Many of these Anglican chaplaincies and international churches serve British and northern European residents, but Spanish spouses, neighbours and friends come to Christmas services, weddings and funerals. Offering Spanish at those moments is a simple act of hospitality towards the people of the place where the church stands.
How it works for listeners
- 01Scan the code
From the screen, the bulletin or a card on the seat. It opens in the phone's browser.
- 02Choose Español
No sign-up and no download. There is also an iOS app for those who prefer it.
- 03Listen and follow along
The translated voice follows the preacher a few seconds behind, with Spanish captions on screen. The original English text can sit alongside, which some listeners use to practise their English.
One Spanish for everyone
The translation is into general Spanish, not a particular national variety. Listeners from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Spain will notice the odd word they would say differently, but the meaning comes through. Bible names and church terms are the hardest part for any automated translation; ChurchTranslate keeps a terminology list to correct known terms in the captions. For more on what to expect, see Bible names and terms.
Getting started
Sign up your church, set English as the speaker language and switch on Spanish. Your sound technician broadcasts from a laptop or phone, ideally with a feed from the mixing desk. A free 10-minute trial service lets you hear the result before you choose a plan. The guide to your first translated service has a practical checklist.
Cost
A 100-minute service into Spanish uses 100 credits. With Spanish and Portuguese side by side that is 200 credits, and the Duo plan (€100 per month, 960 credits) covers four such services comfortably. See the pricing.