The Church of São Caetano ( pt, Igreja Paroquial de Lomba/Igreja de São Caetano) is a 17th-century
church
Church may refer to:
Religion
* Church (building), a building for Christian religious activities
* Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination
* Church service, a formalized period of Christian communal worship
* Chris ...
located in the
civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties, or their combined form, the unitary authority ...
of
Lomba in the
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
of
Lajes das Flores, in the
Portuguese island of
Flores
Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, a group of islands in the eastern half of Indonesia. Including the Komodo Islands off its west coast (but excluding the Solor Archipelago to the east of Flores), the land area is 15,530.58 km2, and th ...
, in the archipelago of the
Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
.
History
In 1698, the parish of Lomba was created, and was associated with the probable construction of the primitive church.
The first parochial registers were dated from 1701.
[
The beginning of the rebuilding phase of the church began in 1753, that lasted until 1759.][
Between 1873 and 1888, a new phase of construction was initiated.][ Father José António Camões, indicates that the church had a rector with a stipend that included 5 bushels, 3 alqueires and 8 of wheat, along with 8$000 ]réis
The first official currency of Brazil was the real (pronounced ; pl. ''réis''), with the symbol Rs$. As the currency of the Portuguese empire, it was in use in Brazil from the earliest days of the colonial period, and remained in use until 1942 ...
, along with a treasurer supported by a bushel of wheat and 6$000 réis, supported by a contribution of 2$000 to the factory.[
A new period of restoration and construction initiated in 1880, that ultimately lead to the church's re-consecration on 24 February 1886.][
]
Architecture
The church is implanted behind a small courtyard and comprises a single-nave extending to a narrower corp (corresponding to the presbytery) and annexes that included the sacristy and annexes off the principal space.[
The principal facade, which includes a belfry/steeple, is divided in three sections by entablatures (on the first floor an architrave, simple frieze and cornice and the second by just frieze and cornice) and in the three sections by a vertical pilasters (with plinths and capitals on the ground floor).][ The ground and first floor are complemented by arched windows; the first floor marked by rectangular doorway flanked by two windows and the upper floor with three windows corresponding to the openings on the ground floor.][ Over the main door is a cartouche with the sculpted ''1888''.][
The main door opens to a small ]narthex
The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches consisting of the entrance or lobby area, located at the west end of the nave, opposite the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex ...
, that corresponds to the perimeter of the tower, that extends to the windbreak.[ On either side of the narthex is a compartment accessible from the nave: opposite the epistole side is the baptistery and opposite it is winding staircase that leads to the high-choir and belfry.][ The choir, in wood, occupies the area at the front of the nave (over the windbreak) and is counter curved, protected by a guardrail of balustrades. It is preceded by a vestibule that is under the narthex and whose vaulted covering supports the belfry.][
The walls of the nave have, on either side, a door that connects it to the exterior and three high windows.][ Opposite the epistole, to the right of the door, is a pulpit with large stone corbel and balustrade guardrail in wood.][ The door to the pulpit is the only one with double lintel surmounted by cornice. To the right of the pulpit is a door that leads to the sacristy.][ On angles to the nave, flanking the triumphal archway of the presbytery are retables, positioned on 45 degree angles.][ Within the main chapel, on either side, are doors that connect to the sacristy and storage annex.][ The lateral retables and principal chapel are gilded Revivalist decoration and partially painted, while the ceiling of the nave and presbytery are decorated in wood.][ In the sacristy is a chest of drawers and other Modernist furniture, in addition to a wood staircase that provides access to the pulpit.][
]
References
Notes
Sources
*
* {{citation , editor=Câmara Municipal , title=Revista Municipal , issue=1 , publisher=Câmara Municipal das Lajes das Flores , year=1997 , language=Portuguese
Church Sao Caetano
Sao Caetano Lomba