Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Lajes)
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário () is an 18th-century church located in the civil parish of Lajes in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, in the Portuguese island of Flores, in the archipelago of the Azores. History In 1515, Lajes was elevated to the status of town. Sometime in the 16th century, the Hermitage of Espírito Santo (Divine Holy Spirit) which was located near the port was moved to the town, owing to a similar temple in the port. On 25 July 1587, the primitive parochial church of Lajes, situated in the location occupied by the municipal cemetery was burned-down by English privateers, that landed five ships whose troops sacked the town and surrounding countryside. By 1717, the parish included only 300 homes. Between 1763 and 1783, the actual church was raised on the site occupied by the Hermitage of Espírito Santo. By 1800, there were 486 inhabitants comprising 75 homes and the parochial church within the town limits. Its vicar received a stipend of 7 bushels of wheat, 4 alqueires of wheat and 8$000 réis to support his services to the community. In the middle of the 19th century, the church was renovated, followed by embellishments in