Holy Redeemer Church of Las Chumberas
Architect: Fernando Menis
Location: Tenerife, Spain
Type: Church
Year: 2024
Photographs: Roland Halbe
The “Oscar” of religious architecture was bestowed upon the Holy Redeemer Church of Las Chumberas, located in a underprivileged neighborhood of Tenerife island
The following description is courtesy of the designers. Spanish architect Fernando Menis has been awarded the 2024 Frate Sole International Prize for Sacred Architecture for the Holy Redeemer Church of Las Chumberas, Tenerife, selected out of 128 entries from 28 countries. Considered the “Oscar” of religious architecture, this prize is awarded every four years and carries a €15,000 award, alongside prizes for second and third place. Previous winners include renowned architects such as Tadao Ando, Álvaro Siza, Richard Meier, John Pawson, and Rafael Moneo. The awards ceremony will take place on October in Pavia, Italy.
The construction of The Holy Redeemer Church, spanning over fifteen years, has been a labour of love and dedication for the Las Chumberas neighbourhood of all those involved. Conceived to revitalise and give identity to this peripheral area on Tenerife Island, the church was funded through donations from parishioners, locals, and local businesses, becoming a symbol of collective effort. The innovative architecture of the church, designed by Fernando Menis, draws inspiration from the island’s volcanic geology and uses natural light, concrete, and local stone to create an austere space that combines functionality and beauty, noted for its exceptional acoustics and energy efficiency.
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The award adds to the accolades received by the work for its unique architecture, such as the 2022 International Award for Religious Architecture from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Faith&Form, the 2012 Innovation Award with Concrete from the Ambuja Foundation of India, and its inclusion in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Founded in 1995 by Father Costantino Ruggeri, the Frate Sole Foundation promotes artistic values in Christian churches. In addition to the International Prize for Sacred Architecture, it organises the European Prize for the best thesis project of a new church and is an international reference in research on contemporary sacred architecture. It also promotes the work of its founder, a multifaceted artist who designed more than 30 churches worldwide.
