Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 39.452557923749666, -31.127523975743035

The Igreja Matriz da Conceição is located in the parish of Santa Cruz das Flores, municipality of the same name, on the island of Flores, in the Azores. Finished building in 1859, it is one of the most imposing churches in the Archipelago, from which, in addition to the front, surrounded by two towers, the chancel altar stands out.

History

It was begun in 1781, its vicar being the ecclesiastical ombudsman Father Manuel Lourenço Vieira, in the place where the primitive church, coeval with the founding of the village, had been built. The works developed very slowly, and the consecration of the temple only took place in 1859. This delay is reflected in the appearance of the facade, which offers two different faces, the latter being very poor as the shutters and the large windows in the middle they don't match.

The feast of Nossa Senhora da Conceição takes place on the 8th of December, and attracts many outsiders, being considered one of the biggest on the island.

Characteristics

It has great proportions, both outside and inside. On the façade there is a legend in Latin dedicated to the veneration of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. The chancel of this church is considered one of the largest in the entire archipelago. On the high altar stands out the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, 2.3 meters high.

The gilding dates from the middle of the 20th century, thanks to the dedication of the then vicar Maurício António de Freitas, to whom the acquisition of beautiful images is also due.