Rev. Dr Jerónimo Granados next to a mural painted by young people with support from The Lutheran World Federation. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
Pastor Dr Jerónimo Granados, leader of the German Evangelical Congregation of Montevideo
(LWI) - A native of Mendoza in Argentina, Rev. Dr Jerónimo Granados has woven a unique career path that intertwines theology, art, music and church history. After training in Buenos Aires and specializing with a doctorate in art and theology, he has dedicated the last years of his ministry to the historic German Evangelical Congregation of Montevideo, which has been serving people in the Uruguayan capital for the past 180 years.
Pastor Granados' ministry in this port congregation, which operates in the most secular country in Latin America, offers a fascinating insight into how the church, through culture and music, is achieving a new openness. From jazz concerts to Bach's music, the congregation uses art as a bridge to new membership and provides a cultural service to the city.
Furthermore, his testimony highlights the fundamental role of the church in interfaith and social dialogue in Uruguay, culminating in milestones such as his congregation being declared a national historic monument, and promoting a ‘Prayer for the Nation’ that has brought together leaders from various political parties. The Montevideo congregation is part of the Evangelical Church of the River Plate, which is present in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
To begin with, please tell us briefly about your personal and ministerial background
I am originally from the city of Mendoza, Argentina, and I am a member of the Evangelical Church of the River Plate. I studied theology at the Istituto Superior Evangélico de Estudio Teológicos (ISEDET), then studied arts, and finally completed a doctorate in art and theology. I was ordained as a pastor in Bahía Blanca. My ministry included working with university students in northern Argentina, and later I devoted myself to teaching church history at ISEDET. For the past decade, I have been serving as a pastor in the German Evangelical Congregation of Montevideo, concluding my pastoral ministry here.
That congregation has a very rich history - could you share some details about its origins and how it has evolved?
The congregation has been in Montevideo for 180 years. It was established almost simultaneously with the German Evangelical Congregation in Buenos Aires. The most interesting thing is that it was founded by Germans who arrived in search of a future and came together to form a congregation without a pastor in 1846. For ten years, it was a community without pastoral leadership, and it was not until 1857 that it welcomed its first pastor. In that same year, the German school was also established.
Uruguay is known for its strong roots in secularism. How does this influence the ministry and life of the congregation today?
Uruguay is the oldest and most secular country in Latin America, and secularism is deeply rooted. What has struck me is that the main gateway for new members is through cultural activities, especially concerts. People come to listen to music, but suddenly they also hear a word that seems pleasant, relevant and biblical to them, which helps them interpret a text or a political event from a Lutheran perspective.
Montevideo Lutheran community gather after Sunday service. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
Pastor Dr. Jerónimo Granados preaching from the pulpit of the German Evangelical Congregation in Montevideo. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
How is this connection between music and faith achieved in such a secular context?
It is only in churches in Uruguay that you can hear organ concerts, which is already an attraction. The appeal is multifaceted. We play traditional church music—although I prefer not to call it sacred music—but we also blend it with other types of music; we have even done jazz concerts. This attracts different audiences. The concerts are also part of our diaconal branch, a service we offer from a cultural perspective, providing a clear interpretation of German and Lutheran culture, for example, through the music of Bach.
In addition to the concerts, what are the key activities of the congregation and how do they relate to the church’s role in society?
We have the normal activities of a congregation: worship services, Bible studies, activities for young people and children. We also have a strong diaconal unit with a children's home, a home for adults and a nursing home in Montevideo. We work ecumenically in all these areas, including concerts.
You mentioned that it is a ‘port church’. Do you still serve the German-speaking community?
Yes, we do. While the use of the German language has declined significantly in Montevideo today, in Punta del Este, a hundred percent of the activities are in German, because there are still many Germans arriving who do not speak Spanish. That is why it is important to always have a pastor who can speak the language, because although the congregation is based on German Lutheranism, language and culture act as a bridge in a context where there is no direct communication with the state on religious issues.
You have been deeply involved in interfaith and social dialogue. What is this interaction like in Uruguay?
Interreligious and ecumenical dialogue with Jews, Catholics and with other Protestants is very common, and I would say familiar, always with the respect that all traditions deserve. We are always at the same table. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, we sat down with the president to see how we could improve relations with people at the time of lockdown. We are always called upon for issues that have to do with life in society.
Recently, the church has been at the forefront of two important milestones, hasn’t it?
Yes, during my tenure there have been two very important milestones: the Montevideo congregation being declared a National Historic Monument and the Prayer for the Nation initiative. In a conversation with the city’s Roman Catholic cardinal, I proposed saying a prayer for the nation. We did this with both the previous Blanco party government and the current Frente Amplio coalition party government, and in both cases, the presidents attended. State authorities were very receptive, because at no point was it confused with an Argentine Te Deum, which is a high-level religious thanksgiving ceremony for the nation. Here, it is simply a matter of putting ourselves on the same level as a part of the institutions of our society. This seems likely to continue to be a tradition every time a president is elected, which makes me happy.
The pastoral house, like the congregation building in Montevideo, has been declared a National Historic Monument by the Uruguayan government. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
From left to right: Rev. Sonia Skupch, LWF Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America; Montevideo pastor Rev. Dr Jerónimo Granados; Rev. Mónica Hillmann, pastor, Nueva Helvecia Congregation. Photo: LWF/E. Albrecht
With this strong secularist imprint, how would you describe the challenge of being a pastor and leading a religious community today?
It is a huge challenge. We have had to change our entire mindset and structure in order to address our own people, as well as people from outside. People are looking for spirituality, otherwise they would not come to church, but this is greatly filtered by this strong secular influence. People are not open to acknowledging that they are religious, although I believe they are more religious than they think. There is an approach to spirituality, but it is not very transparent.
Finally, what is your vision for the future of the congregation and what is the role of the laity in this plan?
People love this church and support it. The 1846 charter already established how much each of the first 70 members contributed. That is intrinsic: they have a kind of congregationalism where, if they want a church, they must maintain it, and they do. We maintain a constant average of 80 members, which means that despite losses, new people are always coming in. We are not growing explosively, but we are maintaining the congregation. That is my vision: to maintain the congregation.
Our lay people are very responsible and aware. They discuss the type of pastor they want and how they can maintain the entire structure, including pastoral support. If I leave in a couple of years, I will leave happy that very concrete and solid foundations have been laid in economic, liturgical, ecclesial, and social terms. It is a great legacy for the future.
