Fenais da Ajuda
| Fenais da Ajuda | ||
| Civil Parish | ||
 The northwestern coast of Fenais da Ajuda, as seen from the area near Lombinha and Ponte
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| Official name: Freguesia de Fenais da Ajuda | ||
| Named for: hay or other herbaceous plants used as animal fodder | ||
| Country |  Portugal |
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| Autonomous Region |  Azores |
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| Island | São Miguel | |
| Municipality | Ribeira Grande | |
| Localities | Criação, Espigão, Fenais da Ajuda, Ribeira Funda | |
| Center | Fenais da Ajuda | |
| - elevation | 162 m (531 ft) | |
| - coordinates | 37°51′5″N 25°19′26″W / 37.85139°N 25.32389°WCoordinates: 37°51′5″N 25°19′26″W / 37.85139°N 25.32389°W | |
| Highest point | Gafanhoto | |
| - location | Lagoinhas | |
| - elevation | 635 m (2,083 ft) | |
| - coordinates | 37°47′42″N 25°18′45″W / 37.79500°N 25.31250°W | |
| Lowest point | Sea Level | |
| - location | Atlantic Ocean | |
| Area | 13.36 km2 (5 sq mi) | |
| - urban | .44 km2 (0 sq mi) | |
| Population | 1,131 (2011) | |
| Density | 85/km2 (220/sq mi) | |
| Settlement | c. 1500 | |
| - Parish | c. 1541 | |
| - Civil Parish | c. 1832 | |
| LAU | Junta Freguesia | |
| - location | Rua da Canada | |
| - elevation | 150 m (492 ft) | |
| - coordinates | 37°51′11″N 25°19′28″W / 37.85306°N 25.32444°W | |
| President Junta | Davide Manuel Afonso Cambodia | |
| President Assembleia | Maria do Patrocínio Sousa de Medeiros Correia | |
| Timezone | Azores (UTC-1) | |
| - summer (DST) | Azores (UTC0) | |
| Postal Zone | 9625-025 | |
| Area Code & Prefix | (+351) 292 XXX-XXXX | |
| Patron Saint | Nossa Senhora da Ajuda | |
 Location of the civil parish of Fenais da Ajuda within the municipality of Ribeira Grande
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Fenais da Ajuda is a civil parish in the municipality of Ribeira Grande in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The population in 2011 was 1,131, in an area of 13.36 km².
The name Fenais da Ajuda comes from fenais (hay or other herbaceous plants used as animal fodder, since the area historically produced much animal fodder), and from its patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Assistance), and a Franciscan monastery to Her honour that was located in the parish. Similarly, the area was known as Fenais da Vera Cruz, due to the area's similarity to a Christian cross, and later as Fenais da Maia when the Maia parish was sited there.
In the Livro do Tombo da Igreja dos Santos Reis Magos (burial registry for the Church of Santos Reis Magos), until 1819 the parish was part of the municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, but was later integrated into the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
The first inhabitants came from the neighbouring parish of Maia around 1500. They built a chapel dedicated to the Santos Reis Magos (literally, Sainted Magi Kings, or the New Testament Magi, who were protectors of Portuguese navigators and explorers). Historian Gaspar Frutuoso said of these settlers:
The first vicar, Bernardo de Froes, operated the religious institution and the local affiliated industry, which was supported by meager revenues from the Church. In 1541, the church was elevated to the status of parish. In 1832, the parochial Church of the Santos Reis Magos was begun, and it was consecrated in 1843.
The church building is a good example of period construction, having been successively conserved by the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco (Third of Saint Francis), more commonly known as the Third Order. The small chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Help/Aid was built on the site of a much older Franciscan chapel by monks around 1681, under the direction of Lázaro Estrela (to fulfill a promise to the Virgin Mary), and remained in their possession. Between 1832 and 1847 the chapel served as an ornate parochial seat, its austere main nave in contrast to a painted lateral chapel, constructed in a Revivalist style and embossed with gold. This Franciscan monastery was vacated in 1832 when the Liberals expelled the monks, and the building was abandoned. After being sold, the convent was demolished.
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