Church of São Mateus da Calheta

Church of São Mateus (Igreja de São Mateus)
Church of Saint Mathew
Church (Igreja)
A view of the Church of São Mateus from the fort of São Mateus
Official name: Igreja Paroquial de São Mateus da Calheta
Named for: Saint Matthew
Country	Portugal
Autonomous Region	Azores
Group	Central
Island	Terceira
Municipality	Angra do Heroísmo
Location	São Mateus da Calheta
- elevation	22 m (72 ft)
- coordinates	38°39′24.62″N 27°16′11.93″W / 38.6568389°N 27.2699806°W / 38.6568389; -27.2699806Coordinates: 38°39′24.62″N 27°16′11.93″W / 38.6568389°N 27.2699806°W / 38.6568389; -27.2699806
Length	46.25 m (152 ft), Northwest-Southeast
Width	25.72 m (84 ft), Southwest-Northeast
Architects	António Baía Paixão
Style	Baroque
Materials	Stone, Basalt, Masonry, Wood, Tile
Origin	28 August 1893
- Initiated	21 September 1895
- Completion	c. 1911
Owner	Portuguese Republic
For public	Private
Easiest access	Estrada Regional N1-1ª, Caminho da Vila Maria
Management	Direção Regional de Cultura
Operator	Catholic Church/Diocese of Angra do Heroísmo
Status	Property of Public Interest
Listing	Decree 129/77; DR226, 29 September 1977
Location of the church in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo

The Church of São Mateus (Portuguese: Igreja de São Mateus) is a Baroque church in the civil parish of São Mateus da Calheta, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The church is the major rural temple on the island of Terceira, and one of the larger churches in the Azores. Apart from its apparent volume, the church is marked by several carvings on its main facade, that include the three of the Cardinal Virtues, while its two lateral bell towers are unique in the archipelago for its size and pyramidal spires.

The first nucleus of the community settled in the area of Poço da Luz, in the 15th century, then a low and marshy area, separated from the sea by a coastal barrier of boulders built by the tide. The first documented reference to the existence of a church came from Pedro Cota da Malha on 6 February 1557, then resident of Quinta da Prainha. He verified that the Church was in construction in the Ponta de São Mateus.

In 1560, the settlement was elevated to the status of ecclesiastical parish, and the first reference for the new parish of São Mateus da Prainha in 1568. But, it was only in 1641 that the first records were issued by the parish.

Yet, between 1694 and 1700, the Church was demolished and reconstructed in the interior, while a cross was erected in the church courtyard to represent the place of the old chancel. Friar Agostinho de Monte Alverne, writing in 1695, stated that the parish included a vicar and treasurer serving a community of 100 buildings and approximately 250 residents. By 1700, the church building project was concluded, it would later being referred to as the Old Church (Portuguese: Igreja Velha). On 28 August 1893, this Church was hit by a tempest, leaving it roofless and causing its abandon.

On 21 September 1895, the cornerstone was placed to launch the building of a new church on land donated by a benefactor, in the interior of the community and away from the sea. The project was authored by António Baía Paixão, a functionary in the Office of Public Works in Angra (Portuguese: Obras Públicas de Angra), with the assistance of Father Manuel Maria da Costa. It was the largest project for the period and covered an area of 820 square metres (8,800 sq ft): the largest rural temple on Terceira and one of the largest in the Azores. For that reason, it had many critics whom protested its construction until its completion (and even after). The magazine O Tempo of Angra, journalist Gil Vaz lionized its construction, stating: