San José de Bolama - Memory of faith of the old capital
The historical Catholic temple of Bolama, the former capital of Portuguese Guinea, is dedicated to San José: it is the seat of the homonymous parish in the diocese of Bafatá. The present temple was opened to veneration on March 22, 1930.
🌹 Wonders and anecdotes
- The felligresy of San José de Bolama was created in 1871, and the first temple was blessed on March 19, 1881, the day of San José.
- In the 1870s Bolama was the seat of the Vicariate General of Portuguese Guinea: the first center of ecclesial government in the territory.
- The first church was destroyed by a fire in 1909; the present temple opened to veneration in 1930.
- After decolonization, the building fell into ruin and was rebuilt in the late 20th century, retaining original tiles; its parish scout group has been operating since 1968.
San José de Bolama
In the colonial city that was arrested in the time that it was the capital of Guinea- Bisáu, the church of St. Joseph guards a century and a half of Catholic faith, with the Virgin Mary present in the daily prayer of her small community.
"St. Joseph, the custodian of the Holy Family, and St. Mary his wife, pray for the Church of Guinea-Bisau.
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