Peru Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Peru, go to the Religious Records page. = Online Resources and Websites=

=Historical Background= Roman Catholicism has been the predominant faith in Peru for centuries. As of the 2017 census, 76% of the population over 12 years old described themselves as Catholic, 14.1% as Evangelical, 4.8% as Protestant, Jewish, Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witness, and 5.1% as nonreligious.
 * 1603-1992 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1556-1930 - at FamilySearch — index and images. Also at Ancestry.com and Ancestry.com.
 * 1600-1940 - at FamilySearch — index and images. Also at Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.
 * 1750-1930 - at FamilySearch — index and images. Also at Ancestry.com and MyHeritage
 * 1665-2018 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1560-1952 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1641-2016 - at FamilySearch — index and images

=Information Recorded in the Records= Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario);

Baptisms
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:
 * baptism date
 * the infant's name,
 * parents' names,
 * father's occupation,
 * status of legitimacy,
 * occasionally, names of grandparents,
 * names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives,
 * birth date and place,
 * the family's place of residence,
 * death information, as an added note or signified by a cross.

Marriages
Marriage registers can give:
 * the marriage date and
 * the names of the bride and groom,
 * indicate whether they were single or widowed and
 * their ages,
 * their birth dates and places
 * residences,
 * occupations,
 * birthplaces, and
 * parents' names (after 1800)
 * the names of previous spouses and their death dates,
 * names of witnesses, who might be relatives.

Burials
Burial registers may give:
 * the name of the deceased and
 * the date and place of death or burial.
 * the deceased's age,
 * place of residence, and
 * cause of death
 * the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower,
 * deceased's birth date and place and
 * parents' names

=How to Find Records=

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the records of Peru.
 * b. Click on Places within Peru and a list of towns will appear.
 * c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.

Writing for Records
You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See the Spanish Letter Writing Guide for help with composing letters. =Anglican Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Website Directory and Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Peru

The Anglican Church of South America Calle Doña María 141 Los Rosales, Surco Lima, LI 33 Peru Email address: hwgodfrey@gmail.com Phone: +51 (0)1 449 0600
 * Website

Historical Background
The Anglican Church of Peru is a diocese which is clearly both Peruvian and Anglican in its identity. Its roots and history go back to the first half of the nineteenth century with the arrival of English and N. American immigrants. But Peruvian congregations are now the overwhelming majority, even though there is still a live English-speaking congregation at the Cathedral. =Baptist Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Baptist churches in Peru

= Catholic Church Records =

Writing to a Local Parish
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Peru

Historical Background
The Catholic Church in Peru is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the curia in Rome, and the Peruvian Episcopal Conference. Catholics compose an estimated 85-90% of Peru's population. By 1550 Dominicans, Franciscans, Mercedarians, Augustinians and Jesuits were all active in Peru. The Spanish conquerors not only conquered Peru militarily, but also sought to convert the indigenous populations to Christianity. Many churches were built in the colonial period, the visible manifestation of Catholicism. The Peruvian government is closely allied with the Catholic Church. Article 50 of the Constitution recognizes the Catholic Church's role as "an important element in the historical, cultural, and moral development of the nation." Catholic clergy and laypersons receive state remuneration in addition to the stipends paid to them by the Church. This applies to the country's 52 bishops, as well as to some priests whose ministries are located in towns and villages along the borders. In addition each diocese receives a monthly institutional subsidy from the Government. An agreement signed with the Vatican in 1980 grants the Catholic Church special status in Peru. The Catholic Church receives preferential treatment in education, tax benefits, immigration of religious workers, and other areas, in accordance with the agreement. So Roman Catholicism could be considered the main religion of Peru.

=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records=

Online Records
Information is available to current members only for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Historical Background
An official branch (a small congregation) was organized in July 1956, missionaries began preaching in August, and a Church building was purchased in November. Prior to this, Latter-day Saint families living in Peru held group meetings. In 1959, when the Andes Mission was organized, there were 300 members in five congregations.

In January 1988, 32 years after missionary work began in Peru, seven stakes (diocese) were created in one weekend by a visiting Church Apostle, Elder M. Russell Ballard. Total Church Membership (2019): 605,043. Congregations: 759.

=Evangelical and Pentecostal Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Evangelical churches in Peru
 * Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Peru

Historical Background
The Evangelical Church of Peru is a Reformed denomination in Peru that adheres to the Westminster Confession. The first congregation was founded in 1894 in Lima. In 1919 the Synod of 9 communities adopted the name Evangelical Church of Peru. It was constituted in 1946. Since the 1950s the church grew rapidly. The majority of congregations are in the Altiplano. It had 20,000 members and almost 2,000 parishes.

=Jehovah's Witnesses Church Records=

Writing for Records
Asociación de los Testigos de Jehová Jirón El Cortijo 329 Monterrico Chico LIMA 33 PERU Telephone: +51 1-​708-​9000
 * Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in Peru

=Lutheran Church Records=

Missouri Synod
Iglesia Evangelica Luterana-Peru Lanificio 205 Arequipa (054) Peru (0051) Phone: 054-424-492 Mobile: 054-9583-4692-3 Website: www.ielpperu.org Missions from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod began in Peru in 1997 to help with flood relief and medical care. The IEL-P became a member of the International Lutheran Council in 2007.
 * Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Peru

German Speaking
The German speaking Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Lima was founded 1898 by German emigrants. There are contractual ties with the EKD (Evangelical Church in Germany). In majority the members of the Evangelic Lutheran Church in Lima are German, Peruvian, Austrian / Swiss Reformed, Lutheran and United denomination.
 * Website Evangelical Lutheran Church (German-speaking)

=Methodist Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Methodist churches in Peru

Historical Background
(Iglesia Metodista del Perú, IMP) Methodist work in Peru dates back to the late 1870s. It failed because of the Pacific War between Peru, Chile and Bolivia. After the war mission work resumed, especially in Lima and the seaport city of Callao. The first Methodist church of Callao was founded in 1889. It was the first evangelical Spanish-speaking church in Peru. Most of the members were migrants from the rural areas. Marginalized by society, they found a warm welcome in the church. The vision of a developing and growing church led the missionaries to set up several colleges, which today are among the best educational institutions of the country. The Colegio América in Callao with 1,200 students is known throughout South America. Other large Methodist colleges exist in Lima, La Victoria, Huancayo, Tarma and Chincha. The Methodist Church of Peru became autonomous in 1970.

=Presbyterian Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Peru

Historical Background
The missionaries of Free Church of Scotland established this church. The first church work was started in 1921. The first church was built in Cajamarca in 1936 with 600 people present. The work spread to Tarapoto and Chachapoyas. The first General Assembly was held in 1963 with 5 presbyteries namely the Amazonas, Cajamarca, Lima, Celendin and San Martin, and the church become independent. The name of the denomination was Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Peru. The church had 3,000 members.

American Missionaries, of Bible Presbyterian Church, established another church in 1936. The first General assembly was held in 1970. The name of the denomination was National Presbyterian Church of Peru. In 1983 the church had 11 presbyteries with 8,000 members.

These churches were united in 1995 to form the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church in Peru. In the early 2000s the EPRCP had 140 congregations and 15,000 members in Peru.

=References=