Church of the Immaculate Conception (Tangier)

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Spanish Church or La Purísima,^[1] is a Roman Catholic church built in 1880–1881 in Tangier, Morocco.

Church of the Immaculate Conception
The church viewed from rue Es-Siaghine
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic Church
Status	Active
Location
Location	Tangier, Morocco
Geographic coordinates	35.78528°N 5.81137°W / 35.78528; -5.81137
Architecture
Architect(s)	Manuel Aníbal Álvarez Amoroso
Groundbreaking	1880
Completed	1881

Overview

The church is located on Rue Es-Siaghine, just west of the Petit Socco square at the center of the Tangier medina. It stands on the former ground of the Swedish legation,^[2]: 768 which had been established there in 1788.^[3] It was designed by architect Manuel Aníbal Álvarez Amoroso [es] on the initiative of Spanish Franciscan father José María Lerchundi [es].^[4]: 79 Construction started in October 1880, with funding from the Spanish government and the Obra Pía.^[5]: 208 It was complemented in 1892-93 by the edification of a clock tower, originally topped with a spire and later changed to the present-day cupola.^[2]: 769 The church initially served the whole city's Catholic community, including European diplomats.

More recently, the property has been used by the Missionaries of Charity who in 1996 altered its interior, partitioning the former church nave into two floors.^[2]: 770

See also

• Roman Catholic Cathedral of Tangier
• French Church of Tangier