Church of Saint John the Evangelist of Covas

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Lousada > Covas > Figueiras e Covas

Location

Situated in the village of Covas, in the municipality of Lousada, the Church of São João Evangelista stands on a slightly elevated space, offering a serene perspective over the surrounding landscape. The churchyard, accessible by a stairway, invites pause, marked by a paved area that forms a cross and punctuated by a few trees. Its location on sloping terrain and its proximity to cultivated areas and scattered houses give it a tranquil and genuinely rural atmosphere.

A Heritage Through Time

The history of the Church of São João Evangelista de Covas dates back to ancient times, with records of its existence already in the 13th century, when its patronage was shared between the Bailiwick of Leça, of the Hospitaller Order, and the primatial see. The current structure of the temple began to take shape in the 17th century, undergoing important renovation and embellishment works in the following centuries, namely in the 19th century, with the reconstruction of the bell tower and the painting of the chancel's ceiling, and in the 20th century, with the execution of new side altarpieces and the reform of the main altarpiece.

Exterior and the Seventeenth-Century Tower

The church features a religious architecture that combines elements from the 17th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Its facades, plastered and painted white, stand out with their projecting granite quoins and pyramidal pinnacles. The main facade, oriented to the south, is marked by a straight lintel portal and an upper oval oculus. On the right side, the bell tower stands out, whose original construction dates back to the 17th century, although its bulbous spire finial is a later addition from the 19th century, giving it a particular silhouette in the landscape. The articulated and stepped volumes of the construction, along with the discreet windows and slits, contribute to its image as a traditional parish church.

The Art of Gilded Woodcarving in the Interior

Inside, visitors are enveloped by an atmosphere of simplicity in the white walls, contrasting with the artistic richness of its altars. The highlight is the main altarpiece, a beautiful example of the national baroque style, executed by Pedro Coelho in 1696 and gilded by João de Sousa in 1700. This altarpiece impresses with its six twisted columns, decorated with vine leaf motifs, and the figurative reliefs on the plinths, which represent Saint John the Evangelist, the church's patron saint, and Christ the Redeemer. The chancel is further enhanced by its false barrel vault ceiling, painted with simulated marbling and phytomorphic elements, acanthus leaves, and mascarons. The side chapels house 19th-century polychrome carved altarpieces, with central niches and false baldachins, complementing the harmony and symbolism of the space.

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