Parish Church of Saint Francis Xavier

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Açores > Angra do Heroísmo > Raminho > Cabo do Raminho

Location

The Parish Church of Saint Francis Xavier stands in the picturesque locality of Raminho, integrated into the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, in the area of Cabo do Raminho. Its central and elevated position within the parish gives it a striking presence, serving as a visible landmark in the village's panorama and the surrounding landscape.

Architectural Features

This religious temple stands out for its Neo-Romantic architectural style, a style that, while evoking the solidity and forms of Romanesque, presents them with a renewed and more modern interpretation. The church is composed of three naves, which gives it remarkable spaciousness and an inviting interior. The facade is crowned by two imposing bell towers, reinforcing its grandeur and its importance as a central building in the community.

History and Resilience

The construction of the church began with the laying of the first stone on August 16, 1855. After a six-year construction period, the temple, initially with a single nave, opened its doors for religious worship on October 26, 1861. An inscription on the arch of the chancel marks this milestone, stating: «Charity erected this temple: its first stone was laid on August 16, 1855; and it opened for religious worship on October 26, 1861». However, its current configuration resulted from expansion and restoration works carried out in 1890, when the two side naves were added, transforming the building into the three-nave structure that can be observed today. Father José Bernardo Corvelo was one of the great promoters of this work, whose realization was due to the effort and dedication of many.

The devotion to Saint Francis Xavier as the patron saint of the temple is linked to an interesting story: the choice was due to the offer of the saint's image by Francisco Nunes da Rocha, an inhabitant of Angra, on the condition that he would be the church's patron saint. This building, a testament to local history and faith, suffered considerable damage from the earthquake of January 1, 1980. However, it was subsequently restored through restoration work that extended over several years, reaffirming its cultural importance and its deep connection to the Raminho community.

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