Overview:

is the oldest church in Angola, located in the coastal city of Benguela. It was built in 1765 by the Portuguese settlers and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a fine example of colonial architecture, and a symbol of the slave trade in Angola. It has a large altarpiece, decorated with carvings and glazed tiles, and features a wooden pulpit and an organ. Its exterior is mostly whitewashed, and it has an imposing bell tower. Inside the church, visitors will find a number of paintings and sculptures, as well as a variety of religious artifacts. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

The Church of São João Baptista is a 19th-century religious building located in the city of Benguela, Angola. It was completed in 1873 and was originally known as the Benguela Church due to its location. The church is considered one of the most important monuments in the city and is renowned for its impressive exterior. The church is designed with a Portuguese neoclassical style, featuring a façade with two prominent towers in the front flanked by two side buttresses. The entrance of the church is also decorated with statues of angels and saints. Inside, the church consists of several chapels and has a capacity of 1500 people. Other notable features include stained glass windows, a crypt, an altar, and a bell. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The origin of São João Baptista's Church in Benguela, Angola, dates back to 1878, when a Capuchin missionary from Portugal arrived in the city. In 1890, as the Catholic faith grew, the parish of São João Baptista was created and entrusted to the Benedictine Order. The parish, at its time, was being served mainly in a chapel near the actual municipal market. In the 1930s, the construction of the current Church of São João Baptista began. Fundraising campaigns began in Europe, including in Portugal, and there were monetary contributions from the Catholic faithful of Benguela. The construction of the church continued in the 1950s, and in 1952 it was completed. In February of the same year, the Church was canonically established, and the first mass was celebrated by Augustinian Augusto Pereira. The Church of São João Baptista is of great historical, cultural and architectural value. In 2004, it was classified as a National Monument by a ministerial order and inscribed in the State and General Register of Integral Patrimony of Angola (RGPG). See also * History of Angola * Roman Catholicism in Angola * Cultural heritage of Angola Sources Category:Angolan Roman Catholic churches Category:Buildings and structures in Benguela Province Category:History of Angola Category:1878 establishments in Africa Category:1952 establishments in Angola Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Church of São João Baptista is one of the oldest buildings in Angola. It was built in 1726 in the city of Benguela by Portuguese missionaries. 2. The church has been declared a National Monument of Angola and it is one of the few buildings of its age and style remaining in the region. 3. The church is known for its Creole Baroque style of architecture, which is a blend of Portuguese, African and Brazilian influences. 4. The architecture of the church has been described as one of the most beautiful and harmonious styles of natural expression in Angolan buildings. 5. The church is still in use today and the ceiling of the nave is adorned with the symbolism of the Anglican liturgy. 6. Every July 25th, the feast of Saints Joan and Paul is celebrated at the Church of São João Baptista with mass, singing, and traditional Angolan dances. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era