Ribeirinha Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Horta > Ribeirinha

Location

The Church of Ribeirinha is located in the parish of Ribeirinha, municipality of Horta, on Faial Island. The building is situated in the Angústias area, a part of Ribeirinha that is integrated into its urban fabric. Its position offers direct contact with local life, marking the landscape with its presence and history.

Memory and Resilience

The history of the Church of Ribeirinha is marked by persistence and the capacity for reconstruction in the face of natural challenges. The temple that existed on the site before 1926, with origins preceding 1666, was destroyed by an earthquake. The new church, inaugurated in 1934, rose as a beautiful place of worship, a significant result of contributions from the parishioners themselves, who complemented state funds. However, on July 9, 1998, a powerful earthquake again caused devastating damage, not only on Faial but also on the islands of Pico and São Jorge, severely affecting the church's structure. Its trajectory reflects the resilience of the local community against the forces of nature, in a history of continuous construction and attachment to its sacred space.

Architectural Aspects

Before its destruction, the Church of Ribeirinha featured notable architectural characteristics. One of the most distinctive features was its bell tower, unusually positioned in the center of the main facade, creating an uncommon focal point. Inside, the temple was organized into three naves, a layout that conferred spaciousness and a particular atmosphere to the space, inviting contemplation and introspection.

Sacred Heritage

The collection of sacred art housed in the Church of Ribeirinha, before the 1998 earthquake, was of considerable historical and cultural value. The main altar was dedicated to Saint Matthew, the patron saint of the church. In addition to this, there were two side altars: one dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima and the other to Saint Joseph. The temple was also the guardian of two important 18th-century images: Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Compassion. These pieces were brought to the church in 1832, following the extinction of religious orders in Portugal, which led to the demolition of the old Convento da Glória in Horta. Their presence in the Ribeirinha temple enriched its legacy, telling a part of the island's religious and artistic history.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt