Church of Saint Benedict of Muchopes

A piece of heaven on earth

It took three years to build the largest Catholic church in Mozambique.

Romanesque by the towers facade, baroque by the grandeur or baroque revival by the single nave. The architectural style of the Church of Saint Benedict of Muchopes will always be a shifting ground. But, if there is much to be said in terms of architecture, the size gave it a status that no one can take away: the largest Catholic Church built in Mozambique. For three years, between 1937 and 1940, men and women built among the wild trees of Mangunze the building that still today houses the largest Mission in the province of Gaza. There are 45 worship communities. But that might not have been the case. During the civil war, a bomb attack turned it into ruins. It was only in 2000, by the hand of Friar Jorge Chaves, that it had a second life. The original structure was preserved, but the window system and the roof were modified. Fifteen years later, the white of the painting was renewed, but the light blue was superimposed on the brown of its first life. No accident. Blue is the colour that symbolises the Virgin Mary and also the sky. And this church – as they all should be – is piece of heaven on earth.

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Issue 73 May/Jun | Download.