Five Wounds Portuguese National Church

The Five Wounds Portuguese National Church is the heart and soul of the Portuguese Community in Santa Clara Valley. The Five Wounds Parish was dedicated by Monsignor Henrique Ribeiro on November 8, 1914. The hard work and dedication of many Portuguese families made this beautiful edifice possible. The story of the construction of Five Wounds is a testament to the spirit of the Portuguese people. After the local Panama-Pacific Exposition closed in San Francisco at the end of 1915, a group of community leaders asked to use the timbers and wood from the Portuguese Pavilion to help build the Five Wounds Church. The cornerstone of the church was laid October 1, 1916, and the completed building was consecrated on July 13, 1919. From that wonderful beginning grew the strong support for the Five Wounds Portuguese National Church.