The Nossa Senhora da Assunção Parish, in Mexilhoeira Grande, celebrates a historic milestone in 2025: the 500th anniversary of the construction of its main church. This year also marks two other significant dates for the municipality of Portimão and the Algarve Church: the 50th anniversary of the return of the Jesuits to the Algarve and the 50th year of service of Father Domingos Monteiro da Costa as parish priest of Mexilhoeira Grande.
The main church, one of the oldest monuments in Portimão, was built in the first half of the 16th century with the support of the Castelo Branco family, counts of Vila Nova de Portimão, who owned land in Mexilhoeira Grande.
The Jesuits, in turn, played an important role in Portimão throughout two distinct periods: the first, at the end of the 17th century, with the creation of the Saint Francis Xavier Collegeinterrupted in 1759 with the expulsion of the Jesuits by the Marquês de Pombal, and the second, from 1975, when priests Arsénio Castro da Silva and Domingos Monteiro da Costa were sent to the Algarve on the recommendation of Bishop D. Florentino.
To celebrate these events, the three Algarve parishes entrusted to the Society of Jesus – Nossa Senhora do Amparo (Portimão), Mexilhoeira Grande and Odiáxere – have prepared a diverse program of events that include classical music concerts, theater, traditional dances, conferences, exhibitions and cultural and sporting activities.
The celebrations have the support of the Portimão City Council, the Mexilhoeira Grande Parish Council, and several local associations and communities, such as the Bemposta School Group, the Algarve Guitar Association and the Figueira Folkloric Ranch, among others.
At the beginning of this year, three events are already planned for January:
- January 11th: Concert by the Algarve Guitar Association, at 7:00 pm, in the parish church of Mexilhoeira Grande.
- January 12th: Meeting of Janeiras and Reis songs, at 3:00 pm, with official presentation of the celebrations program, in the parish church.
- January 30th: Presentation of the play “El-Rei Seleuco”, by Luís Vaz de Camões, by students of the professional actor/actress interpreter course at the Bemposta School Group, at 11:00, at the Centro Pastoral Paul Roth.
These celebrations promise to highlight the rich cultural, historical and spiritual heritage of Mexilhoeira Grande and the Algarve Church.
Also read:
