Church of the Misericórdia de Valadares

The Church of the Miserícordia de Valadares , or Church of Mercy/Charity of Valadares, is a 17th–18th-century Portuguese church located in the civil parish of Valadares, municipality of Monção in continental Portugal. The church was classified as Property of Public Interest in 1961.
Originally, the need to establish a presence in the village of Valadares was developed in 1535, when the religious brotherhood approached King Philip I of Portugal to solicit its creation. But, it was only in 1687 that the project to build a church was contemplated: the design was issued to master Domingos Gonçalves at a cost of 3$500 réis. Those that wanted to join the brotherhood of the Misericórdia of Valadares was required to pay a tribute: in the first half of the 18th century membership dues were between $300 and $480 réis, depending on their station and level of participation. The primary administrative body of this group was different then most Misericórdias at the time: it included a provedor, secretary, prosecutor , a treasurer and twelve brothers . There were also four councillors from the wealthy gentry that formed the junta. In total 16 elements, that met several times throughout the year, when it was necessary but not on fixed intervals. . Members of the inner quorum included the clergy of the neighbouring parishes and a few military officers, while it is likely that the powerful, wealthy nobles of Monção and Melgaço were integrated into this group.

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