Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Santa Cruz das Flores)

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição)
Church of Our Lady of the Conception, Parochial Church of Santa Cruz das Flores
Church (Igreja)
A view of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, as seen from the main park in front of the Convent of São Boaventura
Official name: Igreja Paroquial de Santa Cruz das Flores/Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Named for: Virgin Mary
Country	Portugal
Region	Azores
Group	Western
Island	Flores
Municipality	Santa Cruz das Flores
Location	Santa Cruz
- coordinates	39°27′9.7″N 31°7′39.3″W / 39.452694°N 31.127583°W / 39.452694; -31.127583Coordinates: 39°27′9.7″N 31°7′39.3″W / 39.452694°N 31.127583°W / 39.452694; -31.127583
Style	Revivalist
Materials	Masonry, Granite, Wood, Azulejo
Initiated	18th century
- Constructed	1781
Owner	Portuguese Republic
For public	Public
Easiest access	Rua da Conceição
Management	Direção Regional da Cultura
Operator	Diocese of Angra
Status	Property of Public Interest Imóvel de Interesse Público
Listing	Resolution: Azorean Regional Government 126/2004, Jornal da Região Autonoma dos Açores Série 1, 37 (9 September 2004)

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Portuguese: Igreja Paroquial de Santa Cruz das Flores/Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição) is an 18th-century church located in the civil parish of Santa Cruz in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores, in the Portuguese island of Flores, in the archipelago of the Azores.

The construction of the church began in 1781, on the site of a primitive temple in an area that was once the centre of the original town, under the direction of its first vicar, the Ouvidor Father Manuel Lourenço Vieira.

It was only 1859 that the church was consecrated; the delay in its construction is reflected in the facade which consists of two distinct styles, the last phase of poorer nature.

On 5 November 1998, a resolution by the President of the regional government (220/1998, JORAA, Série 1, 45) supported the classification of the property as a landmark of municipal importance. On 9 September 2004, it was reclassified under terms of Article 94 (Decree 107/2001) as a Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest).

The church is situated to the left of the Praceta Roberto de Mesquita, incorporated into a walled garden with an octagonal reflecting pool. The large church (of great dimensions by Azorean standards) is situated in an elevated courtyard relation to the road, accessible by five large paved stairs with Portuguese pavement stone in an semi-circular form that amplifies the courtyard. The open space to the left of the church is defined by a lateral facade, tower and sacristy, as well as being paved in Portuguese pavement between stonework. The areas to the right facade are covered in grass. The building assumes an important position in Santa Cruz, being visible from most places in the town. It includes a principal body, a narrower chancel, two bell towers and annex structures on either side of the presbytery forming "L"-shaped extensions of the presbytery and nave. The entire building is constructed in masonry and stonework, plastered and painted in white, except for the soclos, cornerstone, cornices, pilasters, columns, frames, pinnacles and decorative elements, that include interior archs, pillars, corbels and stonework.