Category: Religious Architecture > Church
District: Leiria > Pedrógão Grande > Vila Facaia > Casal de Além
It is situated in an elevated and central area of the village of Vila Facaia, accessed by stone staircases and surrounded by a cobbled churchyard.
Built in the 18th century, this church features a simple style with Baroque and popular elements. It underwent improvements in the 20th century.
It has a white façade with granite details. The bell tower, covered with colourful tiles and featuring a clock, is one of its most striking features, topped with a rooster-shaped weather vane.
It has a single nave, with white walls and a painted wooden ceiling. The entrance features a wooden wind guard and a high choir loft.
One of the highlights is the set of 18 painted panels on the nave ceiling, which illustrate episodes from the life of Saint Catherine. These paintings are by V.S. Bastos and date from 1902.
It features several altars with gilded and coloured wood carvings, niches with religious images, and floral decorations. The main altar is decorated with figures of the four evangelists.
It has a side chapel with a vaulted ceiling and a detailed altarpiece made of gilded and polychrome wood.
Inside, there is a limestone baptismal font, a painted wooden pulpit, and a stone washbasin in the sacristy, complete with a tap and a built-in oratory.
It is harmoniously integrated into the village, with open views all around and a yard at the rear used for community activities.
It continues to be used as the parish church and is linked to the Diocese of Coimbra.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.93531510288169,-8.223576596778265
Coordinates DMS: 39°56'7.1"N 08°13'24.9"W