CHINA MACAO - CHURCHES ( PART 2)

  5.   CHAPEL OF ST JAMES ( SAO TIAGO DA BARRA) –POUSADA DE SAO TIAGO

This tiny chapel rebuilt in 1740 in the Barra Forte on the top of top of the peninsula is now an architectural part of the Portguese inn, or pousada , which has been established on the foundations of the fort. It is a charming sanctuary with a statue of  the saint and blue and white tiles depicting. 

Our Lady of Fatima and the saintly Queen Isabel St James is the military protector of Macau and legend tells that he frequently goes on patrol around the city and at times, his boots are found to be muddy.A soldier used to be given the duty of cleaning the boots of the statue. On one occasion the man forgot his duty it is said and received a crack on the head from the saint’s sword.

 6. CHAPEL OF ST MICHAEL( SAO MIGUEL)

ST MICHAEL CEMETERY

 Set in beautiful, landscaped Catholic Cemetery, this small chapel, built 1875, is one of the best maintained buildings in Macau. Its exterior is painted green and white. A stained glass window filters coloured light into the chapel.

7.  OUR LADY OF CARMEL ( NOSSA SNHORA DO CARMO), 
  TAIPA ISLAND

Built in 1885, this church stands on a hill overlooking the sea, Taipa Village and the restored mansions of Old Taipa Praia.

8. OUR LADY OF FATIMA ( 23 RUA DE LEI POU CHON)

Rebuilt in 1967, this is Macau’s newest church and serves the people of the industrial Bairro Tamagnini Barbosa in the north of the city. It stands in a quiet courtyard behind wrought iron gates. The design is contemporary with a large square tower containing 2 bells. A broad staircase leads to the spacious church. Inside, the side walls are lined with stained glass panels and the altar consists of a wooden crucifix on a red brick wall.

9. OUR LADY OF SORROWS (KA HO.COLOANE)

This small church was built in 1966 to serve the needs of the settlement of Ka Ho, where the families of cured lepers and a few cases live. It has a magnificent bronze crucifix over the north door. It was created and given to Ka Ho by Itlian sculptor Francisco Messima. Also associated with the building of this church is the name of another Italian sculptor, Oseo Acconci.

10. PROTESTANT CHAPEL ( OLD PROTESTANT CEMETERY)

To serve Macau’s small Protestant minority this chapel is approximately situated in the cemetery where 150 British and American graves recall the days of foreign trading and naval presence in Macau.

 The small stone building is sometimes called the “ Morrison Chapel” in honour of Robert Morrison , a missionary who translated the Bible into Chinese , and the stained glass window contains the art picture of an open Bible with Chinese characters for “ In the beginning was the Word”. On either side of the altar are plaques recalling James B. Endicott, an American trader who is buried in Hong Kong and Henry Davies Margesson who drowned off Yokohama when returning home to England after 23 years in China.