In the historic center of Macao, not far from the famous ruins of St. Paul`s Cathedral, stands one of the oldest and most revered Catholic shrines in the city—the Church of St. Anthony (Igreja de Santo António). It is sometimes also called "Church of St. Anthony of Macao" or simply "Igreja do Macau."
Foundation History: From Chapel to "Main Church"
The history of this church dates back to the very origins of the Portuguese presence in Macao. According to historical chronicles, the original chapel dedicated to St. Anthony was built of wood, clay, and straw as early as 1558-1560, just a few years after the founding of the Portuguese settlement. This makes it one of the first Christian buildings in the region.
Its location was strategic: it stood at the entrance to the old village where the first Portuguese colonists settled. In fact, the Church of St. Anthony became the first religious and public center of the emerging "city" of Macao. The path to the main Jesuit cathedral (St. Paul`s) began from it, and it served as the parish church for the local Portuguese community.
Over the centuries, the building repeatedly suffered from fires (especially severe ones in 1809 and 1874) and was rebuilt, but it was always restored on the same sacred site. The current stone structure mainly dates back to 1930, when after the last major fire, the church was restored and preserved in an almost unchanged form.
Architecture: The Strict Elegance of Jesuit Style
The exterior appearance of the Church of St. Anthony differs from the more flamboyant Baroque of St. Paul`s Cathedral or the bright Neoclassicism of other Macao temples. Its architecture is a classic example of the strict and restrained aesthetic of Jesuit construction:
Facade: A two-tier composition dominates. The lower tier is designed as a portico with three arches, creating an arched gallery. This is a practical element, protecting from sun and rain, characteristic of Portuguese tropical architecture. The upper tier is flatter, crowned by a triangular pediment with a cross. On the sides of the facade rise two symmetrical bell towers (campanaries) with pyramidal roofs, giving the building an upward aspiration and harmonious completeness.
Interior: A basilica with a single nave. A modest but elegant wooden coffered ceiling, side altars, a pulpit, and exquisite woodcarving create a warm, intimate atmosphere. The main altar is dedicated to the patron saint.
Patron: Saint Anthony of Padua – The "Wedding Saint"
The church is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua—one of the most beloved and revered saints in the Catholic world, a 13th-century Franciscan preacher from Portugal. In Macao, his veneration acquired a unique local feature.
Saint Anthony is known as a miracle worker and the "finder of lost things," but in Portuguese tradition he is also considered the patron saint of marriages and family. It is this function that became entrenched for the church in Macao. For centuries, a vast number of couples from Portugal and Macao were married here. For this, the church received its most famous popular nickname—"Wedding Church" (Igreja de Casamentos). Newlyweds still strive to get married here to receive the blessing of Saint Anthony, following the centuries-old tradition.
Why "Church of St. Anthony of Macao"? The Origin of the Epithet
Adding "of Macao" to the church`s name is not just a geographical clarification. It is a historical title, rooted in deep antiquity and reflecting its exceptional status.
In the first centuries of the colony`s existence, this church was the main, central temple of the entire Portuguese settlement. It served as its spiritual and administrative core. Here, people not only prayed but also announced important decrees; the community gathered to discuss civil affairs. It was the "Church of Macao" in the sense of the "Church of the entire Macao community."
There is another, more poetic and tragic version. According to some sources, in the crypt or on the territory adjacent to the church, there was one of the first European cemeteries in Macao. The first settlers, soldiers, sailors, and missionaries, whose lives were given to this land, were buried here. Thus, the church became the keeper of the ashes and memory of "Macao" as a community of pioneers. It was not just a church in Macao, but a church preserving the spirit and remains of Macao itself.
Modern Significance
Today, the Church of St. Anthony of Macao remains an active Catholic parish. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Historic Centre of Macao. For tourists, it is a mandatory point on the route where one can feel the authentic, unpretentious atmosphere of the old city.
The Church of St. Anthony is the oldest church in Macao, founded by the first Portuguese settlers back in the 16th century, which is why it is called "Igreja do Macau"—the Church (of) Macao. Couples have been getting married here for several centuries, thanks to which it is known as the "Wedding Church," and it preserves the memory of the city`s very origins.
