Church of Saint Martin

Category: Religious Architecture > Church

District: Vila Real > Mesão Frio > Vila Jusã > Vila Nova

Location

The Church of São Martinho is located in the urbanization of Vila Nova, an integral part of the locality of Vila Jusã, in the municipality of Mesão Frio. Situated in an environment that reflects the tranquility and life of a more secluded community, its presence marks a point of reference for inhabitants and for visitors to this area of the Alto Douro. The church is integrated into the local landscape, bearing witness to the history and identity of the region.

A Legacy of Community Faith

Also known as the Parish Church of Vila Jusã, this temple plays, and has played for centuries, a central role in the religious and social life of its community. Although its exact origins are lost to time, records indicate that as early as the mid-18th century, in 1753, the church was an active place of worship, with the opening of chapter books documenting its parochial life. It is a place that reflects the resilience and continuity of faith in the region, remaining the property of the Catholic Church and in constant religious use since its beginnings.

Details of a Secular Life

Historical documents reveal a continuous concern for the conservation and functionality of the Church of São Martinho over time. In the 18th century, for example, orders were given for the construction of a sacristy, considered essential for priestly vestments and implements, and for the raising of the churchyard wall next to the main chapel, demonstrating care for the building's structure and its surroundings. There are also records of instructions for the composition of wooden altars, roof repairs, and the renovation of floors and walls, highlighting the successive maintenance interventions that have ensured its preservation to this day. In the early 19th century, the "Altar of the Souls" was even designated as a privileged altar with plenary indulgence, a detail illustrating the intensity of popular devotion the temple hosted.

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