Century XX
The original temple dates back to the year 1549. In 1920, it was a temple of simple architecture. The façade had a large window over which was the niche with the image of the patron saint, St. John the Baptist, and on the left side a bell tower and sacristy. From the second half of the 20th century, the church underwent great alterations with the construction of a new main chapel and a new cross arch. A single nave building with a four-tier bell tower in the centre, with the main portal in a perfect arc topped by the patron saint’s niche, in granite, with a clock over it. The bell tower is topped by a pyramid-shaped dome crowned with a cross. The luminosity of the temple is ensured by the four symmetrical windows that make up the main façade.
The Christ on the cross is featured in its interior, dating back to 1969. The new gilded high altar, of baroque and neoclassical-inspired style, was built in the late 1990s.
Tuesday and Thursday, 18h00-19h00 and Saturday15h00-16h30
Saint John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of Vila Chã, the one who announced the arrival of Jesus Christ to the world. John the Baptist has two feasts in the Liturgical Calendar: June 24th, the day of his birth, and August 29th, the feast of his martyrdom.
St. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, cousin of the Virgin Mary. During a visit to Elizabeth, the grace of Christ’s coming is announced for the first time, still in his mother’s womb, featured in the Magnificat. The birth of John the Baptist was also miraculous, because his parents were already old. Zechariah, priest of Yahweh, asks God for a son, because it was a curse not to have descendants. One day, during a religious service in a temple in Jerusalem, the archangel St. Gabriel appeared to him with a message of hope: “Do not fear Zacharias, because your prayers have been heard and Elizabeth, your wife, will give birth to a son whom you will name John.” Zechariah was incredulous and asked the angel for a sign to believe his words. St. Gabriel gave him the sign by leaving him mute until the birth of his son. After nine months of pregnancy, Elizabeth gave birth to a boy, whom they named John.
John the Baptist was the prophet who announced Jesus’ presence, preached in the desert and baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. When John the Baptist saw the one whom he considered his Lord coming, he baptized him in the water. He was then immediately taken by the Holy Spirit.
He denounced the sins of Herod Antipas. Herod, by tending to Herodias’ wish, accepted Salome’s request and ordered the beheading of St. John the Baptist.
