Macau Lifestyle
  • What's On

    Categories

    • Giveaways
    • Entertainment

    Recent Stories

    mgm tennis
    MGM Macau Tennis Masters
    Events & Promotions
    01-©June Balthazard & Pierre Pauze, Mass, 2020. Courtesy of the artists. This work was originally commissioned by Hermès Horloger, Bienne, Switzerland.
    Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023
    Arts
    Westlife The Wild Dreams Tour
    Boyband Westlife to Bring The Wild Dreams Tour to The Londoner Arena in November
    Entertainment
  • Dining

    Categories

    • Restaurants
    • Local Eats
    • Cafes
    • Bars
    • Chef Spotlight

    Recent Stories

    Minibar and Lounge Interior Yellow Neon Signs Macau Lifestyle
    Sing Along: Best Places for Karaoke in Macau
    Bars
    Thai,Shrimps,Red,Curry.,Thailand,Tradition,Red,Curry,Soup,With
    The Best Thai Restaurants in Macau
    Restaurants
    Moo Creamery Founders Portrait
    Moo Creamery: Freshly-Made Ice Creams Delivering Original Flavors in Macau
    Dining
  • Lifestyle

    Categories

    • Wellness
    • Weddings
    • Family
    • People

    Recent Stories

    hac-sa-reservoir-park
    Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Macau
    Family
    Moo Creamery Founders Portrait
    Moo Creamery: Freshly-Made Ice Creams Delivering Original Flavors in Macau
    Dining
    start line photo
    Top Running Routes in Macau
    Lifestyle
  • Culture

    Categories

    • Arts
    • Heritage & History
    • Architecture
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Local Knowledge

    Recent Stories

    Poster image_消失的身影 The Vanished Figures.jpeg
    Comuna de Pedra’s The Vanished Figures
    Culture
    girl in macau transport
    Getting Around in Macau
    Local Knowledge
    01-©June Balthazard & Pierre Pauze, Mass, 2020. Courtesy of the artists. This work was originally commissioned by Hermès Horloger, Bienne, Switzerland.
    Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023
    Arts
  • Style

    Categories

    • Fashion
    • Jewelry & Watches
    • Beauty
    • Home

    Recent Stories

    Wayuu Bag Macau
    Businesses in Macau: Taking Ideas to the Next Level
    Culture
    Longines Master Collection Now Shines in Macau
    Longines Master Moonphase Now Shines in Macau
    Jewelry & Watches
    Clara Brito on a Fashion Shoot
    Clara Brito: Taking Action Through Fashion
    Fashion
  • Travel

    Categories

    • Macau
    • China
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Europe

    Recent Stories

    girl in macau transport
    Getting Around in Macau
    Local Knowledge
    wonderfruit 2022 flag
    Wonderfruit Festival 2023: The Return of Asia’s Burning Man
    Asia
    Kenji Rukkit Gus graffiti street art outloud festival praca ponte e horta art one day macau
    One Day in Macau: Art Itinerary
    Arts
  • Hong Kong

    Categories

    • What's On
    • Dining
    • Things to Do
    • Hotels

    Recent Stories

    Cartier and Women exhibition
    Cartier and Women: The World’s First Major Exhibition on the Role and Influence of Women in Cartier’s History
    Culture
    Grand Hyatt HK_French GourMay Staycation (3)
    French GourMay at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Offers a Bespoke Culinary Trip to France
    Dining
    The Upper House Salisterra Main Dining Room
    Salisterra Showcases Exquisite Mediterranean Cuisine at The Upper House Hong Kong
    Dining
  • City Guide
  • 繁中
Macau
by Macau Lifestyle

7 Unique Parishes in Macau

Igreja_de_Nossa_Senhora_do_Carmo_(Macau)

Macau’s history became more varied and in some ways, richer and more colorful in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived on the peninsula and introduced Catholic culture to the inhabitants. This introduced an entirely new way of life to Macau’s people. Macau prospered as a port and with trade, came the formation of seven parishes of unique and exceptional features. Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Cathedral Parish, the St. Lawrence Parish, and St. Francis Xavier Parish are just a few of them. These parishes are scattered and spread across the Macau peninsula, Taipa and Coloane.

The accompanying structures played a vital role then and now while continuing to stand impressively in each area, defining many of Macau’s beautiful landscapes. Visiting these churches and parishes is one of the best ways of getting to know the city’s history without just checking out the Ruins of St. Paul. Explore Macau via its parishes and see a new side to this city!

Our Lady of Carmel Parish

(See featured image above)

Our Lady of Carmel is a famous tourist spot for its Portuguese architecture, ambiance, and landscape. Painted in bright yellow with blue details (windows and others), this is a beautiful parish to visit when walking through Taipa Village. Named after one of Mother Mary’s many titles–the patron saint of the Carmelite Order–it was built in 1885 and at the time, the sea could be seen from there and was Taipa’s first Catholic church. It is accentuated by the striking Taipa-Houses Museum and just a short walk away is Rua do Cunha in the heart of Taipa Village where numerous food stalls flourish in the area allowing visitors to enjoy Macau’s favorite foods and cuisine. The entire area is now referred to as Taipa Village.

Also read: 10 Beautiful Catholic Churches in Macau

st francis church coloane

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier

The Chapel of St. Francis Xavier is located in Coloane. Besides being one of the most beautiful and uncommon Catholic churches in the city, it provides a calm atmosphere away from all the hustle and bustle of traffic and crowds. Its colors are unforgettable and provide great pictures to later remember. The shelters, old shipyards, and shacks near the church add to the charm and beauty of the parish. It was built in tribute to Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Company of Jesus. Of Spanish nationality, he was a catholic missionary dedicated to spreading the faith on this side of the world.

Chapel of St. Francis Xavier Rua do Caetano and Largo Eduardo Marques, Coloane, +853 2888 2128, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

st lawrence church

St. Lawrence Parish

The St. Lawrence Parish covers a series of Macao World Heritage Sites including the Dom Pedro V. Theatre, the Lilau Square, the Mandarin’s House, St. Lawrence’s Church and the A-Ma Temple. All these amazing structures have withstood the test of time and now stand as a living statement to Macau’s rich and glorious history. This parish is located in a neighborhood made up of different communities, including Chinese and Filipino. Most of them are Catholic, so St. Lawrence Church attracts a wide and global community, providing masses in Tagalog, Cantonese and Portuguese.

Also read: Explore Heritage and Architecture in São Lourenço

Also read: A Guide to St. Augustine’s Square

St. Lawrence Parish Rua de São Lourenço, Macau, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

cathedral macau

Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady

The Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady is nestled in the heart of Macau where the bustling city is at its best. There are masses in several languages, including Portuguese, Cantonese, Tagalog and English. The church felt the need to assist all those flocking to it, since there is a big Filipino community living in the city, as well as an ever-growing number of Chinese Catholics. The cathedral also hosts all kinds of religious happenings–from baptisms to first holy communions, there are also parades that start from here and goes across the city.

Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady 1 Largo da Sé, Macau, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

st anthony church

St. Anthony’s Church

St. Anthony’s Church is home to the Ruins of St. Paul which is a symbolic world heritage site of Macau. Also located within its surrounding areas are the Macao Museum, Mount Fortress, and Camões Garden. It is believed to have been the first church to be built in the city, around 1565, when the Jesuits first arrived. Originally erected with bamboo and wood, it was later renovated and made with stone, which is what one sees now. Several big fires took a toll on the church during the 19th and 20th centuries, but the Catholic Church has always helped to rebuild it. The old streets and alleys have a rustic feel of Macau in the past, which is bound to make for great photos. The neighborhood is teeming with local communities creating an enriching atmosphere and warm environment!

St. Anthony’s Church Santo António Square, Macau, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

st lazarus church

St. Lazarus Church

Unknown to many, the St. Lazarus Church was originally built for lepers and known in Chinese as the “Madness Temple”. The St. Lazarus District exudes old Portuguese ambiance with a few residences still in noble condition radiating a lovely European character to the area. It is characterized by Macau’s cultural and creative industries established by a number of galleries and studios in the district and the church conveys a great contrast with its surroundings. The first project was built between 1557 and 1560, with the revamped, actual version of it being erected in 1886. St. Lazarus is deemed as the saint protector of those suffering from leprosy.

Also read: St. Lazarus & Albergue SCM: From Leper District to Cultural Hub

St. Lazarus Church 11 Adro de São Lazaro, Macau, +853 2837 3094, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

fatima parish

Our Lady of Fátima Church

Our Lady of Fátima Church is located in a place where industrial blocks are merged with residential units, which gives it a unique flair. Macau has many areas revealing its stunningly different vibes, communities, and population. Unlike the center, this area boasts an incredible local notion. The parish is located in a very local district of the city, allowing tourists and interested people to get to know this other side. Our Lady of Fátima is one of the most important figures of Catholicism, so visit this parish and get to know this religion better.

Our Lady of Fátima Church 23 Rua de Lei Pou Ch’ôn, Macau, +853 2823 4808, www.macaotourism.gov.mo

This article was originally written by Apple Salangsang in October 2016 and updated by Leonor Sá Machado in June 2019.

Tags

  • Church
  • Macau parishes
  • Our lady of carmel parish
  • Our lady of Fatima parish
  • parish
  • Parishes in Macao
  • St. Anthony parish
  • St. Francis Xavier Parish
  • St. lazarus Parish
  • The Cathedral parish
  • The St. Lawrence Parish

Related Posts

Kenji Rukkit Gus graffiti street art outloud festival praca ponte e horta art one day macau
Arts

One Day in Macau: Art Itinerary

girl in macau transport
Local Knowledge

Getting Around in Macau

hac-sa-reservoir-park
Family

Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Macau

Trending Posts

Local Knowledge, Macau, Sightseeing, Travel

Getting Around in Macau

Dining, Local Eats

Where to Find the Best Portuguese Egg Tarts in Macau

Sands Cotai Central Chiado restaurant suckling pig
Dining, Restaurants

The Best Places to Eat Real Portuguese Food in Macau

pork chop bun in macau
Dining, Local Eats

Where to Find the Juiciest Pork Chop Bun in Macau

  • Editor's Picks

    ladies night macau Bars

    Where My Ladies At: The Best Ladies’ Night Offers in Macau

    From free-flow champagne to free Prosecco bottles, check our list of the best ladies’ night offers in Macau.

    Salvador Dali Alice in Wonderland Macau Lifestyle hidden artwork Macau Arts

    Art Masterpieces in Macau You Did Not Know Existed

    Some pieces of art are in the most prominent spots, but there are some artwork that remain hidden in Macau. Here’s where you can find them!

    Cuppa Coffee Macau Dining

    Good Morning Macau: Best Cafes for Breakfast

    As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here’re our favorite cafes in Macau to head to for a hearty breakfast!

    Wayuu Bag Macau Culture

    Businesses in Macau: Taking Ideas to the Next Level

    Macau is a small city, but it sure has a lot of new businesses popping up. We rounded up a list of cool businesses to check out and support!

    start line photo Lifestyle

    Top Running Routes in Macau

    Make the effort to get up 30 minutes earlier from tomorrow onwards and check out any of these stunning running routes in Macau.

    The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Gin Collection Bars

    Best Places for Happy Hour in Macau

    After a long day at work, you need a relaxing place to unwind. We have the best places in Macau for happy hour deals on drinks and snacks!

    Zics Macau Brand Source Facebook page Fashion

    Macau Fashion Brands: Celebrate Local Design

    Discover some Macau fashion brands that are making waves due to the fabulous designers behind each of their fresh and genius creations.

    Flora Garden playground Family

    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau

    Macau is full of parks and leisure areas that feature some amazing play areas. Here’s a list of the best playgrounds in Macau for the tykes!

    Maria do Leste Bloody Mary from St Regis Macao Updated Photo 2020 Bars

    Shaken or Stirred: Macau’s Best Cocktails

    The world of mixology often proves to be as diverse and surprising as the one of gastronomy. Exercising talent and immense creativity, Macau’s bartenders keep creating signature cocktails that impress us with both flavors and presentation. If you are tired and bored with mojitos and negronis and need tips on what else to try, check out our guide to Macau’s best cocktails. 

    sound-of-century-vintage-sound-machines-museum Arts

    Macau’s Quirkiest Museums

    When art and history collections are inspected, it’s time to learn things that even locals might not know. Read on to plan a visit to Macau’s quirkiest museums.

    Pataca currency Local Knowledge

    The Pataca Story: The Peculiar History of Macau’s Currency

    The Pataca is special as not many countries the size of Macau would have their currency. Read on to find out about the origins of the Pataca.

    sw-steakhouse-barcounter-cocktails-macau-wynn-palace Bars

    SW Steakhouse Bar at Wynn Palace: Home of Barrel-Aged Cocktails

    Known as one of the best restaurants for juicy prime cuts, SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace also features a bar with must-try cocktails.

    Vintage Around Exterior Front View Macau Lifestyle Culture

    Where to Shop Vintage in Macau

    If you’re a fashionista obssessed with all things vintage, this selection of the best vintage shops in Macau is for you. Happy shopping!

    Negroni bar patua mgm cotai macau lifestyle Bars

    Where to Have an Unforgettable Negroni in Macau

    Check our list of the best bars in Macau that serve the Italian bitter-sweet cocktail, Negroni, from classic recipes to original twists!

    Coloane hiking trail Culture

    Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails

    Coloane is home to most of the hiking trails in town. We walked them all and came up with the most comprehensive Coloane hiking trails guide.

    sponge-cake-macau-lifestyle-chinese-pastries Dining

    A Tour of Traditional Chinese Pastries in Macau

    Every tourist coming to Macau can make a fast conclusion that cookies and pastries here are held in high regard. Where do you start, and what do you eat? To get acquainted with a curious word of local sweets, check our guide to the Chinese pastries in Macau.

    Signature cocktail - Patuá mgm cotai macau Bars

    Bar Patuá at MGM Macau: Language of Mixology

    Whether it is cool cocktails, stunning design, or engaging conversations with a bartender, Bar Patuá has a lot to offer. Learn more in our review!

    ramen pro macau lifestyle Dining

    Delicious Ramen Spots in Macau

    A hot bowl of Japanese ramen would surely satisfy any noodle craving. Slurp away at these ramen places in Macau!

    Tsung I Macau Culture

    Jao Tsung-I: Prominent Sinologist & Literature Researcher in Macau

    Jao Tsung-I was a key figure in the study of ancient literature and history, as well as a prolific Chinese calligraphy artist.

    63c4f00b-ca84-4eda-8f54-1fc5b633bee6_l Architecture

    Macau’s Tap Seac Square by Carlos Marreiros

    Have you ever wondered about Tap Seac Square, its history, and what used to be there? Find out more about its history and right here!

    girl with dog and cocktail cafe Cafes

    Best Pet Friendly Cafes in Macau

    Unwilling to leave your fur child behind while you stroll the streets of Macau? Here are pet-friendly cafes in Macau for you to bring your furry friend to!

    Camões Bust in Grotto Culture

    The Camões Phenomena: All the Way From Portugal to Macau

    Portuguese poet Camões is well-known in Macau. But do you know why? We tell you some interesting facts about the author’s life!

    hiro ramen venetian macau lifestyle Dining

    Get Warm: Best Ramen Spots in Taipa

    We have composed a list of the best ramen spots in Taipa to warm your heart and soul, the Japanese way, with a hot bowl of ramen!

    beijing memory li xiao feng mandarin oriental macau art Arts

    Art at Mandarin Oriental, Macau: Porcelain Dresses & Contemporary Glass Installations

    Read on to see how Mandarin Oriental, Macau, highlights its style and identity with art and design masterpieces by different artists.  

    Nam Ping Exterior Frontdoor Macau Lifestyle Dining

    Nam Ping: A Local Foodie Haven Nestled in Old Macau

    Set in Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Nam Ping is nestled in the city center, opened for more than 30 years, serving simple, mouthwatering dishes.

    Studio City Vinca Foot Spa Foot Massage Chairs Blurred Background Macau Lifestyle Lifestyle

    Best Places for Foot Massages in Macau

    Foot massages are a special treat especially when you’re feeling stressed and fatigued so get your fix at these amazing places in Macau!

    Rooftop Macau Upstairs Terrace Dining

    Best Rooftops in Macau to Relax At

    Chilling on a rooftop with a cold drink is the best way to spend a day. Here’s a list of some of the hippest trending rooftops in Macau!

    Chou Kei Dining

    Local Eats: Where to Have Instant Noodles With Egg & Luncheon Meat in Macau

    Instant noodles taste much better topped with a fried egg and luncheon meat! Here are the best places in Macau to have this delicacy.

    _Aesop_Skin_Care_PLUS_2021 – SC+ family Beauty

    How Aesop’s the Skincare+ Range Is Revolutionizing Self-Care

    Self-care is good skincare. At the forefront of this is Aesop’s The Skincare+ Range that’s guaranteed to nourish and improve the skin.

    banyan tree macau_Spa_Royal Treatment Room Lifestyle

    Macau’s Best Spas

    Macau is a wold-class destination and this extends to its spas as well. Check out our list of spas in Macau offering the best in relaxation.

  • About
  • The Team
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

COPYRIGHT © 2023 • MACAU LIFESTYLE

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive Macau Events Agenda, the Hottest Giveaway Offers and the Latest Article Updates!