Here stands a testament to faith and resilience the Igreja do Corpo Santo. This church has a captivating story. It involves Irish priests and a devastating earthquake.
The Igreja do Corpo Santo we see today is not the original. The great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 destroyed the first building. The present church was rebuilt in 1770.
Let’s step back to the 17th century. Irish Dominican priests led by Father Dominic O’Daly founded a college and church here. Their purpose was to host and educate young Irish men. These men wanted to become priests. This was impossible in their homeland at that time. After ordination, they secretly returned to Ireland.
The Igreja do Corpo Santo became known as the Martyrs Seminary. Many priests faced persecution and even martyrdom in Ireland. A similar institution existed in Leuven. It is now in Belgium.
The complex included a convent, a church, and a college. By 1856 peace had returned to the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Irish friars sold the convent and part of the college. They used the money to build a school near Dublin. It was named St. Mary’s Priory.
In 1916 the Dominican Order in Portugal celebrated its 700th anniversary here. The celebrations were grand.
Later in 1989 the English community reduced. The Irish friars moved to S. Pedro do Estoril. They left the Igreja do Corpo Santo to a Portuguese Dominican community.
Look closely at the facade. The tympanum shows the symbol of the Order of Irish Dominicans.
The Igreja do Corpo Santo is on Largo do Corpo Santo. This is near Cais do Sodré. For centuries, this area was full of fishermen and shipyards. The name comes from an old hermitage. It held an image of S. Pedro Goncalves also called Corpo Santo. Fishermen venerated this image. They believed it was miraculous.
Many prominent figures are connected to this place. Edmund Ffrench and Michael Peter MacMahon were educated here. They later became bishops. Daniel O’Daly the founder is buried here. Michael MacDonagh Bishop of Kilmore is also buried in the Igreja do Corpo Santo.
The Irish Dominicans even produced their own altar wine. It was made under their supervision. The vineyards were in Lumiar. The wine was exported to Ireland.
Today the Igreja do Corpo Santo stands. It serves as a reminder of the strong ties. These ties connect Ireland and Portugal. The church is also close to other churches. You can find Igreja de Sao Paulo and Igreja das Chagas nearby. For food and drink, visit Pink Street or Time Out Market. Both are a short walk from Cais do Sodre Station.