Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal

"The Church of St. John the Evangelist or the College, as it is still known, in the city of Funchal is an interesting example of Mannerist architecture. The first Jesuits came to the island of Madeira in 1570, at the request of the local authorities, with the intention of founding a college here. After living in temporary facilities, work on the college began in 1599 and the church began to be built in 1629. With the expulsion of the Society of Jesus (1759) by the Marquis of Pombal, the college and the church were closed until 1788, when the seminary was established there, which in turn would leave in 1801. The church was only reopened for Catholic worship in the mid-19th century. The façade is imposing, but with a simple and harmonious design. The façade is marked by pilasters creating three sections (two lateral and one central) divided into three floors. On the ground floor there is a central portico with a round arch, topped by an open curved pediment, flanked by columns with pedestals. On the sides of these are two doors with the same type of frame, but topped by triangular pediments."