Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Lisboa > Odivelas > Pedernais

Location

The Church of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles is situated in the locality of Pedernais, integrated within the municipality of Odivelas, in the district of Lisbon. Its presence is a distinctive landmark in the surrounding landscape, notable for its modern and imposing silhouette that rises above the horizon. Its particular architecture lends it a unique visibility, inviting the gaze to follow its lines that seem to point towards the sky.

Genesis and Building Journey

The history of the Church of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles is inseparable from the initiative of the local community, which in the early 1990s felt the need for its own place of worship. Driven by a Marian prayer group, this collective aspiration took shape with the laying of the first stone on May 23, 1993, a moment of particular relevance for the region.

This inaugural moment was attended by the then Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. António Ribeiro, and was preceded by a procession, a notable event as it was the first in the parish of Odivelas in over two decades. The construction took place in phases, allowing for its opening to worship in 1995, with the main structure consolidated in 1997. The complex was completed in 2014 with the addition of the mortuary chapels, defining its current configuration.

Symbolism and Architectural Expression

The choice of the name, Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, was a decision of the community itself and carries profound symbolism. It evokes the figure of Mary gathered in prayer with the Apostles, anticipating the coming of the Holy Spirit, a moment of great unity and expectation. This spiritual connection is further highlighted by the church's liturgical celebration, which takes place on the eve of Pentecost.

Architecturally, the building stands out for its grandeur, covering a considerable construction area, and for its lines that inspire elevation. Cardinal D. José Policarpo, at the dedication ceremony in 2005, described it as a church that "points to the sky," an observation that captures the essence of its design. Its imposing presence on the horizon and the beauty of its forms invite contemplation and spiritual reflection.

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