Church of St James the Less
Igreja de São Tiago
Santa Maria Maior · Funchal
church in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, municipality of Funchal
Approximate location
The Igreja de São Tiago (now called Socorro) is a church in Funchal founded in 1523 in fulfilment of a vow to Saint James during plague and famine, and rebuilt between 1752 and 1768. After the 1803 flood it became the seat of the parish of Santa Maria Maior, and the images of the chapel of São Sebastião were moved to it.
1Mentioned in
- Vow to St James — Church built in fulfilment of the vow, now parish church of Santa Maria Maior.
- Santa Maria Maior (parish) — Church to which the parish seat was moved in 1803.
- Market and Chapel of St Sebastian — Church to which the chapel's images were moved in 1803.
2Chronology
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Construction of the chapel of St James in Funchal began with a solemn procession.
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A strong earthquake struck Funchal and a severe plague followed until May, ending, according to Frutuoso, after a procession to St James's chapel; the vow is commemorated by the 1 May procession.
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After the flood destroyed the Calhau church, the seat of Santa Maria Maior parish was transferred to the church of São Tiago Menor.
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On the governor's orders the São Sebastião chapel in Funchal was emptied, its images carried to São Tiago, and razed overnight.