Altar Parish Church / Church of Saint Roch

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Altares > Canada de São Roque

Location

The Parish Church of Altares, also known as the Church of São Roque, is located in the village of Altares, which belongs to the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, Azores. The temple is situated in the Canada de São Roque area, integrated into the urban environment of the parish, but maintaining a certain individuality.

Its location is notable for being on the bank of the Ribeira de São Roque (São Roque Stream), precisely after its confluence with the Ribeira das Lajinhas (Lajinhas Stream). This proximity to the watercourses gives it a natural and picturesque setting, inviting a moment of contemplation in the tranquility of the place.

Historical Background

The history of the parish of Altares and its church is quite old, dating back to the 15th century. The parish was founded around 1480, a date by which the presence of a parish priest was already recorded, indicating an established and active religious community. The primitive church was likely completed within the 15th century, serving as the first center of faith and gathering for the inhabitants.

A striking vestige of its antiquity is the date 1536, inscribed in the churchyard, a testament that directly connects the visitor with the distant past of this place of worship. The evolution of the parish, and by extension the church, was marked by significant events, such as the final demarcation of its territory in 1565, after a long period of disputes, which underlines the importance of the parochial institution in the social organization of the time.

Architecture and Devotion

The Church of São Roque exhibits a longitudinal plan, characterized by a single nave that provides an unobstructed interior space. This architectural configuration allowed for a significant enlargement of the building, which took place during works carried out in 1910. These interventions transformed the temple, giving it a more generous dimension than the original structure, adapting it to the growing needs of the community.

Since its genesis, the temple has been a pillar of religious life in Altares, maintaining its function as a parish church to this day. In addition to the veneration of São Roque, the church welcomed, in the late 19th century, the devotion to Nossa Senhora de Lurdes (Our Lady of Lourdes), enriching the range of religious practices and traditions manifested in this space.

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