Almagreira (Vila Do Porto) - History

History

It is unclear when this area was first referred to as Almagreira, but it stemmed from the exploration of a type of clay common in the area; from the name almagre, for a lead-rich red clay, used for pigment. The importance of this clay was later mentioned in a local poem:

"It was the clay of Almagreira/that moulded our luck/this sailor's luck/Between the ocean and the north wind"

In addition to the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho (English: Our Lady of Good Tidings), which evolved from a small chapel constructed in the 18th century, the parish is also the location of several other temples: the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (English: Our Lady of Medicine), from the 16th century, as well as the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte (English: Our Lady of the Mount) and Nossa Senhora da Graça (English: Our Lady of Grace), both constructed in the 19th century.

There are also vestiges of a 16th–17th century Fort of São João Baptista that was used to protect the location from pirate attacks.

The bishop of the Diocese of Angra, António Caetano da Rocha, on 2 December of 1766 created a new parish, "...the third of the main Church to benefit that people and most populous parish that reside in that par of the mountains". It was during the 19th century, that thee twelfth Commander in the Order of Christ on Santa Maria, Diogo José Ferreira de Eça e Menezes, third Count of Lousã, who organized the collection of funds to support the creation of a specific Curato Sufragâneo da Matriz na Almagreira (clergy) to reside at the Church of Bom Despacho.

The lands of the northern plateau of the parish were recorded as the most productive on the island, with extensive fields that produced wheat; Lieutenant-Colonel José Carlos Figueiredo, writing in 1815, while in service on the island noted: "...site of the best lands, in squared fields and a good plain of orchards...". The first primary school began offering classes in 1864. The ex-Constitution, Canarias, known locally as the sunken boat, was a Spanish-registered ship, which, on 13 November 1871, sunk in Praia Bay.

The civil parish, owing to the dramatic growth, separated from the parish of Nossa Senhora de Assunção (Vila do Porto) by decree on 25 October 1906, an area that included the communities of Bom Despacho Velho, Brasil, Brejo de Baixo, Brejo de Cima, Brejo do Meio, Carreira, congro, Courelas, Covas, Farropo, Fonte do Mourato, Fonte Nova, Graça and Praia. Much later, a Casa do Povo (community centre) was founded on 6 October 1966, but electricity only reached the parish in August 1971. At the time, its population has sustained itself on agriculture, woven handicrafts, woollen sweaters and bedspreads.