Parliamentarian Emídio Guerreiro went to the Church of Santa Marinha da Costa, in Guimarães, to follow the completion of the first phase of the recovery works. During the visit, the parliamentarian highlighted that the intervention allowed eliminating the structural problems that were putting the safety of the building at risk, emphasizing that the recovery of the infrastructure and roofing was the most important part of the project.
Emídio Guerreiro recalled that the recovery of the church was a long process, marked by successive postponements over the years, which eventually moved forward after the signing of a protocol by the Government. The parliamentarian highlighted that many doubted the completion of the work, but considered that the intervention demonstrates that it was possible to turn intentions into results.
The parish priest of Costa, Father Carlos Sousa, expressed satisfaction with the completion of this first phase, recalling the moments of concern experienced due to the state of degradation of the roof. According to the priest, the responsible technicians even advocated the early closure of the church due to the existing risks, which proved to be the right decision, as shortly after the closure, part of a structure inside the building fell.
With the roof rehabilitated and infiltrations eliminated, both the parliamentarian and the parish priest advocate for the need to ensure the continuity of investment to recover the interior of the temple, including the side altars, the choir stalls, the sacristy, the high choir, and the pipe organ. The forecast is that the church may reopen for worship within three to four weeks.
