Overview:

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça - Namibe is a Roman Catholic church located in Namibe, Angola. It is the largest church in Angola and is part of the Archdiocese of Lubango. The Church was built in 1864 by Father João Brandão Pinto Ferreira and Bishop João Maria de Graniza. The church was built in traditional Portuguese–Angolan Baroque style, and it is one of the few churches in Angola to have survived the civil war that began in 1975. The church is well known for its architecture and was declared a national monument in 1987. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça - Namibe includes a grand entrance, a bell tower, and several chapels. It is the main attraction in the city of Namibe and is a popular pilgrimage site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

1. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça was built by missionaries in 1863 to serve as a place of worship in the city of Namibe in Angola, Africa. 2. The church is a symbol of the religious faith brought to the region by Catholic missionaries. 3. It was originally designed in the Roman architectural style, but has been remodeled several times over the years. 4. The facade of the church is covered in whitewash and the roof of the structure is made of terracotta tiles. 5. Inside the church is an elaborately painted interior with elaborate details of Biblical scenes. 6. The church also houses a collection of artifacts from the 19th century, including several sculptures of religious figures. 7. One of the sculptures is a replica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the patron saint of Namibe. 8. The church is often visited by locals and tourists alike, which makes it a popular tourist attraction in the city. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça of Namibe, Angola was founded in 1895 to serve the local Catholic community. It was designed in the popular Italianate architectural style, which was popular at the time, and it was meant to be an expression of the strong Catholic faith that had been brought to Angola by the Portuguese during the Age of Exploration and colonization. The church was built in the traditional cruciform shape and constructed of stucco-covered brick. The main facade features a large bell tower flanked by two side towers. The church’s interior is decorated with doors and windows with multi-panels and stained glass, as well as marble and ornamental painting. Throughout its history, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça has been home to numerous key events in the history of Angolan Catholicism. In 1915, it was the site of the first Mass celebrated in Angola by Pope Benedict XV.In 2016, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the church during his historic visit to the country. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça is an important reminder of the history of religion, colonialism and culture in Angola, providing the community with a place of collective memory and worship. The church has been a part of life in Namibe for over a century and continues to serve its community to this day. Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça - Namibe, also known as the Cathedral of Graça, is the oldest Catholic church in Angola, located in the city of Namibe. 2. The church was constructed between 1897 and 1909 and is now a national monument of Angola. 3. The church was built in traditional Portuguese colonial style, with notable Baroque influences. 4. It is the second largest Catholic Church in the country. 5. The first stone of the church was laid in 1876, but the works were interrupted due to the civil war in Portuguese West Africa. 6. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Grace and is located on Praça da Independência in Namibe city center. 7. It was declared a national monument of Angola in 1996. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era