Ribeira Chã

Ribeira Chã
Civil Parish
A view of the landscape in Ribeira Chã, located on an escarpment overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, as seen from the Miradouro do Pisão
Coat of arms
Official name: Freguesia de Ribeira Chã
Name origin: Portuguese for ravine of flatland in rough topography
Country  Portugal
Autonomous Region  Azores
Island São Miguel
Municipality Lagoa
Localities Ribeira Chã
Center Ribeira Chã
 - elevation 97 m (318 ft)
 - coordinates 37°43′11″N 25°29′13″W / 37.71972°N 25.48694°WCoordinates: 37°43′11″N 25°29′13″W / 37.71972°N 25.48694°W
Highest point Aguilhões
 - elevation 668 m (2,192 ft)
 - coordinates 37°44′45″N 25°29′30″W / 37.74583°N 25.49167°W
Lowest point
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Area 2.50 km2 (1 sq mi)
 - urban .15 km2 (0 sq mi)
Population 396 (2011)
Density 158 / km2 (409 / sq mi)
Settlement c. 1637
 - Parish c. 1902
 - Civil Parish 18 May 1966
LAU Junta Freguesia
 - location Avenida Enginheiro Eduardo Arantes de Oliveira
 - elevation 87 m (285 ft)
 - coordinates 37°43′8″N 25°29′12″W / 37.71889°N 25.48667°W
President Junta Albertina Maria Costa Oliveira
Timezone Azores (UTC-1)
 - summer (DST) Azores (UTC0)
Postal Zone 9560 - 550
Area Code & Prefix (+351) 292 XXX-XXXX
Wikimedia Commons: Ribeira Chã
Website: http://www.ribeiracha.com/

Ribeira Chã is a civil parish in the municipality of Lagoa in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It is located along a cliff that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The population in 2011 was 396,[1] in an area of 2.50 km².[2] Ribeira Chã is the smallest parish by population and area in the municipality of Lagoa.

History

A historical settlement, Ribeira Chã obtained its name from the ravine that runs alongside the valley that leads into the Atlantic, through a grotto of cliffs and rocky crags.[3] Until the 17th century, it was a small locality known as a hunting ground for Guinea fowl, and where few settled, owing to difficult accessibility. Those who did settle in the hilltop plain were primarily dedicated to hunting and the woad industry, which is an important economic activity in the Azores until the 15th and 16th century.[3]

The first population agglomeration developed in 1637: at that time, Ribeira Chã included less than 150 inhabitants. By 1725, a small hermitage was erected in the honour of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda (Our Lady of Help/Aid), ordered construct (with license from Bishop D. Manuel Álvares da Costa) by José Botelho Veloso and Francisca Frias, alongside their home.[3] The hermitage was constructed for the populous of Ribeira Chã, who were obliged to travel the 2.4 kilometres (1.5 mi) until the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos, in Água de Pau, through the paths and torturous roads, which were dangerous on rainy, windy or warm days.[3]

In 1749, after visiting Ribeira Chã and confirmed the difficult passage, João de Sousa Bettencourt, representative of the Bispo de Angra and Vicar-General of the Church of Bom Jesus (in Rabo de Peixe) supported the construction of a church and installation of a curia in Ribeira Chã, in order to serve the community. But, the curia would only be installed in 1902.[3]

By 1811, Ribeira Chã had its first visit from the Bishop of Angra, D. José Pegado de Azevedo, who celebrated mass in the small hermitage.[3] Owing to the population by the end of the 19th century this was extremely difficult. Consequently, the parochial council in Água de Pau requested that the chaplain, Father Luciano de Medeiros, authorize the construction of a new hermitage, of greater dimension to serve the public.[3] This temple was constructed in 1853, and dedicated to São José (Saint Joseph).[3] In 1856, the Civil Governor, Félix Borges de Medeiros, donated to the new hermitage and image of Saint Joseph, which had belonged to the extinct Convent of Conceição, in Ponta Delgada (today the Palace of Conceição, a headquarters of the Azorean government).[3]

Still in the 19th century, specifically 1879, the first formal primary instruction started in Ribeira Chã, under the tutelage of Ana Emília dos Santos Sousa, a local teacher.[3]

20th century

At the opening of the 20th century, there were several changes to the parish. In 1904, apart from the installation of the curia, the hermitage's bell-tower was inaugurated and in 1911, the first weddings and baptisms were held.[3] In 1916, the locality obtained its first cemetery, provided from lands donated by the municipality of Lagoa, through the diligence of João Ribeiro de Lima. In addition, in 1935, the municipal council of Lagoa inaugurated the first school building in Ribeira Chã.[3]

In 1956, a new cleric arrived from the island of São Jorge, João Caetano Flores, who was a central figure in the parishes history.[3] He revolutionized the region, initiating a period of growth and progress. In 1962, a new roadway was inaugurated to Ribeira Chã, while a year later the first bus began to connect the parish with Nossa Senhora do Rosário, three times daily.[3] The following year the historical hermitage of São José was destroyed, while the new church was being constructed. A modernist design, the new church was inaugurated in 1967, designed by architect Read Teixeira, who integrated a mosaic authored by painted Tomás Borba Vieira in the project. But, before its opening, in 1965, the new library and parochial cantinna was inaugurated.[3] Before his death, Father Flores was present for the inauguration of the three museological centers in the parish: two during the 1980s (the Ethnographic Gardens and Sacred Art Museum), while the latter (Museum Residence of Maria dos Anjos Melo) in the 1980s.[3] Father Flores was also the originator of a gastronomic fair, that began to run bi-annually.[3]

Under decree 47014, Ribeira Chã was elevated to the status of parish on 18 May 1966, at the same time creating the ecumenical parish of the same name.[3][4]

Culture

The church and the local ethnography museums offer glimpses into the cultural life of this agrarian society, that includes a children's garden, multi-purpose sports gymnasium, children's recreational center and seniors center.[4]

References

  1. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. Eurostat
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 Junta Freguesia, ed. (2012). "História". Ribeira Chã (Lagoa), Portugal: Junta Freguesia de Ribeira Chã. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Ribeira Chã: Tradição Viva! (in Portuguese), Ribeira Chã (Lagoa), Portugal: Centro Social e Paroquial da Ribeira Chã: Núcleos Museologicos, 2012