St. Lazarus' Church, Portuguese colonial church in São Lázaro, Macau, China
St. Lazarus' Church is a church in the São Lázaro district featuring white stone walls and traditional Chinese roof tiles standing among narrow streets. The structure blends European and Asian architectural elements throughout its design.
The building was founded between 1557 and 1560 as one of Macau's earliest churches and underwent complete reconstruction in 1885 while keeping its original character. This rebuilding allowed the structure to be preserved for future generations.
The building shows how Portuguese settlers and local residents shared their religious spaces, with Portuguese names and Chinese characters visible throughout the site. This blend reflects centuries of coexistence in the São Lázaro neighborhood.
The church holds regular services and welcomes visitors daily with main services offered in Chinese and Portuguese. Visitors should plan to arrive outside service times for the best experience.
A Cross of Hope from the original 16th-century chapel is preserved in the forecourt of the current building. This relic connects the modern structure with its distant past.
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