Parochial Church of Vila Cova de Carros / Church of Saint John the Evangelist

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Porto > Paredes > Vila Cova de Carros

Location

Situated in the locality of Vila Cova de Carros, in the municipality of Paredes, this church stands on an artificial oval-shaped platform, elevated on sloping ground. The support walls, plastered and painted white, give it a distinct presence in the surrounding landscape. Access to the churchyard is via staircases, both at the front and rear, which help overcome the uneven terrain.

The churchyard, which surrounds the temple, features a combination of cobblestone and asphalted areas, punctuated by a few trees that offer shade. In front of the church, a cross on a plinth designed in the cobblestones marks the sacred space. Its position, surrounded by cultivated fields and scattered dwellings, gives it a serene and traditional atmosphere.

A Long History of Faith and Art

The history of the Parish Church of Vila Cova de Carros, dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, dates back to ancient times, with records indicating its patronage as early as 1258. The edifice we contemplate today had its main construction in the 17th century, although it has undergone significant interventions over the centuries that have shaped its current appearance.

During the 19th century, the property underwent a notable renovation, which included the reconstruction of its bell tower and the painting of the chancel's ceiling, enriching its legacy. In the 20th century, the church received new side altarpieces in the nave and saw its original main altarpiece renovated, attesting to a continuous artistic and structural evolution.

Exterior Architecture: Forms and Details

The church features a rectangular plan, with volumes that articulate harmoniously, including the nave and the chancel. The facades are plastered and painted white, distinguished by prominent cornerstones and cushioned pyramidal pinnacles that crown them.

The main facade, facing south, is marked by a straight lintel portal, above which an oval oculus opens, allowing natural light into the interior. The bell tower, a 17th-century addition, stands out on the right side, crowned by an unusual bulbous spire, dating from the 19th century. The circular clocks, visible on two of its faces, are distinctive elements that add a touch of functionality and beauty to the ensemble.

The Splendor of the Interior

Upon entering the church, one is greeted by a luminous space, whose interior walls, plastered and painted white, highlight its simplicity and grandeur. The nave's ceiling, in five recently made panelled sections, contrasts with that of the chancel, which displays a dazzling painted barrel-vaulted ceiling, with late-Baroque decoration, dated from the early 19th century.

The choir-loft, built on a concrete slab and with a turned railing, offers a different perspective on the space. On the Gospel side, the baptistery, with its granite baptismal font resting on a Tuscan column, is a place of great symbolism. Two side niches with imagery and an electric organ further enrich this interior.

The Mastery of Gilded Carving

The highlight of the artistic richness of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist lies in its main altarpiece, a masterpiece of gilded carving, representative of the national Baroque style. This imposing altarpiece, with a straight plan and three axes, is defined by six twisted columns, skillfully decorated with vine motifs.

On the plinths of the columns, figures in relief stand out, representing the patron saint of the church, Saint John the Evangelist, and, on the opposite side, Christ the Redeemer. The center of the altarpiece features a perfect arch tribune, with a five-step exposition throne. The side chapels, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of Fátima, have carved altarpieces painted in shades of beige, blue, and gold, with details of acanthus and scrolls, complementing the beauty of the ensemble. The project for the main altarpiece, begun by the carver Pedro Coelho in 1696, was gilded by the master painter João de Sousa in 1700, attesting to the collaboration of notable artists of the time.

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