Igreja Nova de São José

Igreja Nova de São José is a neo-Gothic parish church in Fafe, in northern Portugal (Braga district). Known simply as the "Igreja Nova", or New Church, it is the second most important church of the Fafe parish, after the old parish church. It stands out for its tall tower, majestic lines and a style reminiscent of Gothic architecture. Its construction took more than sixty years.

Why was a "new" church built in Fafe?

The story begins in February 1895. A Brazilian emigrant, Fortunato José de Oliveira, left eight contos de réis in his will for a new church. The money therefore came from the diaspora rather than from the state or the diocese. It is a story typical of northern Portugal, where many people emigrated across the ocean and part of what they earned there came back to fund buildings in their home communities.

Why did construction take so long?

In October 1901 the threshold of the main portal was laid, when work was roughly half done. By about 1910 the works had stopped, and for years little happened. Things picked up in the 1930s. In 1935 Margarida do Rosário Summavielle donated the statue of Saint Joseph, the church's patron. In August 1936 the parish priest, Manuel Domingues Bastos, commissioned architect Ernesto Korrodi to design the church, and the stonework resumed. The bell was blessed on 13 July 1946, and the church was inaugurated and consecrated on 11 June 1961, more than six decades after the project began.

What does the church look like?

The building is neo-Gothic, with clearly vertical, majestic lines. A tall tower dominates it and is visible from afar over the town. The interior is very spacious. The side walls are almost free of decoration, and light enters through large stained-glass windows, giving the nave a bright, plain feel. The interior lines are often described as modern, which follows from the design being drawn up only in the twentieth century.

Frequently asked questions

When was Igreja Nova de São José built? Construction began in 1895 and ended on 11 June 1961.

Who designed the church? The design was commissioned in 1936 from architect Ernesto Korrodi.

What style is the church? It is neo-Gothic, with a tall tower and large stained-glass windows inside.

Who funded the start of construction? The first funds were left in his will by the Brazilian emigrant Fortunato José de Oliveira.

Is it worth going inside? Yes, if you enjoy bright, simple interiors with stained glass, and want to see the second most important church in Fafe alongside the old parish church.

Who is this place for?

The church will appeal to fans of twentieth-century religious architecture, to anyone tracing traces of Portuguese emigration to Brazil, and to visitors exploring the centre of Fafe. It stands in town and is easy to fit into a walk around the area. Check opening hours with the parish, since it is a working church with services, and visits should be kept minimal during liturgy.