History
It was founded on February 20, 1550 by settlers who chose the name Faial, for the common name for the Myrica faya, shrubs that are indigenous to the area, growing within the valleys between the mountains. As later recounted, the settlers:
- "Seeing a site of Faias, where the sea is more gentle, with an ideal panorama, that perfect corner, is the vista of Faial."
For a while Porto da Cruz and São Roque do Faial were part of the parish, but were de-annexed to form their own parishes.
In 1519, a chapel was constructed in this parish to the invocation of Nossa Senhora da Natividade (English: Our Lady of the Nativity), and as legend describes it was built entirely from one cedar, which was transported by water to its site. Ribeiras da Metade e do Faial. The construction of the new temple was begun during the reign of King D. João V of Portugal, during the second half of the 18th Century (1771). In addition, a chapel was dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Penha de França (English: Our Lady of the Rock of France), in Fazenda, around 1680.
In 1960, a fire completely destroyed the original church in Faial, and it was reconstructed in 1966 through the initiative of Father António Pestana Martinho.
Read more about this topic: Faial (Santana)
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