Saint Christopher Church / Old Church

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Felgueiras > Unhão e Lordelo

A Rural Setting

The Church of São Cristóvão, also known as the Old Church, stands in the locality of Unhão and Lordelo, in the municipality of Felgueiras, nestled in a predominantly rural environment. Surrounded by a walled churchyard, the place conveys a sense of tranquility and history. Nearby are the Parish House and other rustic buildings, contributing to the authenticity of the ensemble. A square extends towards the cemetery, which features a small garden and a bell tower with a clock, elements that complement the surrounding landscape, dominated by walled fields and trellised vineyards.

Historical Roots

This remarkable example of religious architecture has its origins in the 12th and 13th centuries, having initially been a male monastery under the Order of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. Its construction unfolded in two distinct phases, visible in the very structure of the temple. The chancel, for example, is the oldest part, dating from the mid-12th century, while the nave body was built later, between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, revealing a notable stylistic evolution between the two eras.

Romanesque Architectural Details

The church is distinguished by its Romanesque architecture, with a wooden-ceilinged nave and a rectangular vaulted apse. The main façade, with its prominent portal, is one of the most interesting features. This portal, set within a protruding section and crowned by a high gable with a Templar cross, features three arches decorated with rounded ornaments, framed by a double frieze with an interlace pattern. Six small columns with sculpted capitals support these arcades. On the tympanum, a bas-relief of Saint Augustine flanked by two acolytes can be seen. The church also features two lateral portals and a series of simple modillions.

Sculpted Art and Interior Environment

Inside, the nave is softly illuminated by seven narrow slits, while the chancel displays a barrel vault that once boasted vegetal decoration. The gilded carved altarpieces and the wooden pulpit enrich the space. The triumphal arch, separating the nave from the chancel, is composed of three arches with sharp edges, supported by pairs of columns of unequal dimensions. Among the historiated capitals, one on the right stands out, depicting two men detaining a warrior in chainmail and a minstrel playing a bowed string instrument, bearing witness to the sculptural richness and artistic influence of the region at the time. The chancel, in turn, is divided by a reinforcing arch, and its side walls reveal blind arcades, with modern stained-glass windows filling the six windows that bathe the space in light.

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