Parish Church of Arco de São Jorge / Church of São José

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Madeira > Santana > Arco de São Jorge > Pico

Location

The Parish Church of Arco de São Jorge, dedicated to Saint Joseph, is situated in the serene locality of Arco de São Jorge, an integral part of the municipality of Santana. The place, specifically known as Pico, offers an environment that combines rural tranquility with community proximity. The church stands as a landmark in the local landscape, harmonizing with the houses and the natural surroundings of this picturesque parish on the Island of Madeira.

The Roots of the Parish

The history of this religious community and its temple dates back to the 17th century. The creation of the parish of Arco de São Jorge, under the invocation of Saint Joseph, was a decree by King D. Pedro II, who ordered it on December 28, 1676. Bishop D. António Teles da Silva was responsible for its formal erection, and Father José de Andrade was the first to assume the role of parish priest, marking the beginning of the parish's independent ecclesiastical life.

The Edification of the Temple

Initially, the religious services of the new parish were celebrated in a small and already dilapidated chapel, whose patron saint was Our Lady of Mercy. This chapel, where ceremonies were previously held by private chaplains under the jurisdiction of the vicar of São Jorge, did not offer ideal conditions for the growing community. Due to its advanced state of ruin, the construction of a new building was decided. Thus, by order of the Treasury Council, issued on January 18, 1740, the new church was built and subsequently solemnly blessed on March 19, 1744, becoming the spiritual center we know today.

Cultural and Community Legacy

Beyond its central role in the religious and social life of the parish, the Church of Saint Joseph is intrinsically linked to the cultural identity of Arco de São Jorge. It was in this very parish that a prominent figure of Madeiran popular tradition was born: Manuel Gonçalves, affectionately remembered as the Sorcerer of the North. The presence of the church, over the centuries, has been a constant link in the collective memory and development of this community, witnessing the lives of generations and contributing to the historical and cultural fabric of the place.

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