Church of Saint John the Evangelist

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Lousada > Lousada > Nespereira e Casais

Location

The Church of Saint John the Evangelist is situated in the Nespereira and Casais area, in the municipality of Lousada, rising on an artificial platform in a predominantly rural and isolated zone. This elevated position offers a wide perspective over the surrounding cultivated fields and scattered dwellings, providing an atmosphere of tranquility. Access to the churchyard, which surrounds the temple, is via staircases, revealing a partially paved space adorned with a few trees.

A Historical Legacy

The history of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist dates back to the 17th century, when its current construction began. However, its presence in Nespereira is much older, with references in historical documents dating from 1258, attesting to its relevance in the community since medieval times. Over the centuries, the temple underwent significant renovations, notably in the 19th century, with the reconstruction of the bell tower and the painting of the chancel roof, and further interventions in the 20th century, which modernized some elements without erasing its historical character. These layers of time are visible in the architecture and art that are still preserved today.

Architecture and Exterior

With a gabled main facade, the church presents itself in articulated volumes painted white, standing out against the surrounding landscape. The entrance portal is simple, with a straight lintel and a circular oculus that allows light to enter. One of the most distinctive elements is the bell tower, which, although its original construction dates to the 17th century, was topped in the 19th century with an unusual bulbous spire, giving it a particular silhouette. On its western and southern faces, the tower displays circular clocks, marking the time for the locality. Careful observers may also identify trefoil crosses, vestiges of the primitive church that preceded the current building.

The Artistic Richness of the Interior

The interior of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, clad in white, reveals an atmosphere of serenity. The nave has a ceiling with five paneled sections, a more recent addition. However, it is in the chancel that one of the temple's great treasures is found: a main altarpiece of gilded carving, an example of the National Baroque style. This altarpiece, conceived in the late 17th century by the carver Pedro Coelho and gilded by João de Sousa, impresses with its six twisted columns adorned with vine shoots and relief figures, including the patron saint, Saint John the Evangelist, and Christ the Redeemer. The chancel ceiling is a false barrel vault, enriched with a painting that simulates marbling and displays decorative elements such as acanthus and mascarons. In the side chapels, there are polychrome carved altarpieces from the 20th century, complementing the beauty of the space. In the baptistery, visible in the sub-choir, rests a granite baptismal font, a testament to centuries of celebrations.

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