Guadalupe Parish Church / Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Guadalupe > Caminho da Igreja

Location

Situated in the locality of Guadalupe, in the municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, the Parish Church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe stands in a central position. It is located in the heart of the vast and fertile Courelas plain, one of the island's most productive areas, marking an important crossroads. Its placement offers a perspective of Azorean rural life, where religious architecture harmoniously integrates into the agricultural landscape.

Origins and Development

The history of this church has deep roots in the 16th century, when an initial hermitage was built to house an image of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, brought from Mexico by Domingos Pires da Covilhã, one of the first settlers of this area. In 1602, the site was elevated to a parish, formalizing the devotion to its patron saint.

The current church, with its imposing structure, began to be built in the 18th century. Construction started in May 1713, although its progress was marked by challenges. A significant seismic crisis in 1717, which devastated much of the parish's dwellings, caused considerable delays in construction. However, despite the adversities, the first mass was celebrated in this new temple in August 1756, consolidating it as the spiritual center of the community.

Devotion and Seismic Tradition

The Church of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe is the starting point for one of the island's most unique and moving manifestations of faith: the "Procissão dos Abalos" (Procession of the Tremors). This tradition dates back to the seismic crisis of 1717 and is a testament to the resilience and devotion of the Graciosan people. Annually, on May 24th, the image of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe is carried in procession from the parish church to the Chapel of Ajuda, located on the hill overlooking the town of Santa Cruz, where a mass is celebrated before the procession's return.

This popular vow remains alive, its relevance and fervor having intensified after the earthquake of January 1, 1980. The procession symbolizes divine protection in the face of the island's natural challenges, becoming a moment of great cultural and spiritual significance for the inhabitants and a captivating aspect for those seeking to understand the profound connection between faith, history, and the natural environment of Graciosa.

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