Caldas da Rainha
Meeting Places
The Chapel of S. Elizabeth of Portugal & S. Oscar Romero of El Salvador, Rua da Fonte Velha 1, SALGUEIRO, 2540-435
Bombarral
Rua das Flores 14, Casais Morgados, Chao da Parada, 2500-926 Caldas da Rainha
Background
Parts of the Portuguese coastline and countryside between Lisbon and Porto are known to English-speakers as the “Silver
Coast”. The location attracted an influx of expatriates, and within the area the city of Caldas da Rainha also grew with
improved transport links.
Soon the need for the help of the Church, in English, became apparent, and, on occasions such as funerals, assistance was
sought from Lisbon. Clergy visits by Fr Michael Bullock and others led to a custom of more regular meetings for worship
taking place in people’s houses from about the year 2000.
Amongst the network of expats was the late Ms Verna Veritie, who worshipped at a Portuguese Baptist church. This then
sprouted an Evangelical wing, in a modest but well-appointed building in a city side street. The pastor was the Rev. Alan
Pallister, also English by birth. As a result of such informal contacts and networks, the services of Worship in the English
language led by Fr Michael came to be accommodated in the Igreja Evangélica Baptista [Igreja EB].
The Congregation
The worshipping English congregation, led by Fr Michael, was mostly small -- although at certain funerals, etc, upwards of
100 people were known to materialise! Fr Michael's visits were enhanced by members of the Estoril/Lisbon congregation
who came along to support him during the road journeys, and to make up the numbers worshipping. Doubtless because of
the small numbers involved, the Anglican church in Caldas da Rainha was never formally constituted, and neither was the
accommodation-sharing arrangement wja EB.
The Present Situation
During 2012-2013, the focus of the situation changed, through changes in personnel. As well as the loss of Verna and the
retirement of Fr Michael, followed by months of interregnum and the arrival of Fr Nigel Stimpson, who moved to Mallorca
during 2014. The loss of Robert Patten in 2013 who was the organist at St. Paul’s and in Caldas da Rainha, there have been
changes at the Igreja EB as Alan Pallister retired.
In 2019 further changes were made with the arrival of Rev, David Hawthorn who retired to the Caldas da Rainha area and
who now leads the local services and the departure of the Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Frank Sawyer, putting the chaplaincy into
interregnum once more.
Pamela Patten is the Congregational Worship Leader (Caldas da Rainha) and local warden.
Services are usually held at 11am on a Sunday morning once a month (mainly the second Sunday) either at the Chapel of S.
Elizabeth of Portugal and S Oscar Romero of El Salvador (at the home of Fr, David Hawthorn) or at the home of Pamela
Patten, in Casais Morgados, Chao da Parada. Additional services are held from time to time.
Currently daily services are being broadcast on Facebook Live during the current crisis.
Details of services are published on the Anglican Community Caldas da Rainha Facebook page or group:
Armistice Day at the Heights of Picoto
