St. Lazarus Church is the oldest Catholic church in all of Asia
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This is the oldest depiction of St. Lazarus. 200. A.D.
This is a realistic picture of what he may have looked like.
Historical Dossier: St. Lazarus' Church, Macau
Comprehensive Research Guide & Clergy Chronology
Compiled: October 2026
1. Executive Overview
1. Executive Overview
St. Lazarus' Church (Portuguese: Igreja de São Lázaro; Chinese: 望德聖母堂) stands as one of the three oldest extant Catholic churches in Macau, China. Originally constructed between 1557 and 1560, the parish served as the primary spiritual home and sanctuary for Macau's Chinese Catholic community starting in the 17th century. Located on Rua de João de Almeida in the historic São Lázaro district, the site represents a crucial node in the early propagation of Catholicism across East Asia.
2. Historical Evolution & Timeline
2. Historical Evolution & Timeline
· [1557–1560] Original Hermitage Structure: First constructed as a simple wooden chapel to provide spiritual support for a leper colony built outside the historic defensive walls of the city.
· [1569] Founding of the Leprosarium: Dom Belchior Carneiro, S.J., the first Catholic Bishop of Macau, establishes a dedicated hospital infrastructure for lepers alongside the church, naming the facility after Saint Lazarus.
· [1576] Temporary Cathedral Status: Pope Gregory XIII issues a formal papal decree creating the Diocese of Macau. St. Lazarus is designated as Macau's temporary cathedral, a role it serves until the Cathedral of Saint Mary is established.
· [17th Century] Center for Chinese Catholics: The parish firmly transitions into the core center of Macau's local Chinese Catholic population, organizing distinct social and integration programs.
· [1885] Neoclassical Reconstruction: Following centuries of weathering and spatial demands, the church undergoes a complete masonry rebuild. The historic stone cross, known as the 'Cross of Hope' (Cruz da Esperança), is preserved and placed in the forecourt.
· [1976] Modern Diocesan Transition: The tradition of newly appointed bishops of Macau marching to St. Lazarus to receive their symbolic pastoral staff (crosier) concludes, cementing its legacy status.
3. Chronological Clergy & Religious Orders Profile
3. Chronological Clergy & Religious Orders Profile
The administration of St. Lazarus' Parish reflects a diverse interplay between diocesan clergy and specific religious orders instrumental in building Macau's healthcare and educational framework. Below is the historical structural profile:
Historical Role / Assignment
Clergy / Religious Figure
Affiliated Diocese / Order
Founder & Apostolic Administrator (1569)
Dom Belchior Carneiro, S.J.
Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Historical Parish Overseers (16th–18th C.)
Early Missionaries & Refugee Clergy
Jesuits, Franciscans, & Augustinians
Parish Priest (Modern Era / Current)
Rev. Canon João Evangelista Lau Him Sang
Diocese of Hong Kong / Macau
Parochial Vicar / Assistant Priest (2026)
Rev. Fr. Zdzislaw Stanislaw Plawecki, SCJ
Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
Pastoral Leadership Support
Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang
Diocese of Macau (Current Bishop)
Historical Institutional Support
Sisters of the Poor Clares & Local Nuns
Order of Saint Clare / Conventual Orders
4. Architectural Typology
4. Architectural Typology
The current 1885 structure demonstrates crisp Neoclassical styling with a functional asymmetrical layout. The main building facade is split vertically into two storeys, each holding three large windows. The structure is crowned by a detailed triangular pediment featuring a relief decoration combining a cross and an anchor—symbolizing the theological virtues of Belief and Faith. An independent vertical belfry stands attached to the right side of the main facade, leading into a conservative, open interior nave divided into two primary aisles.
St. Lazarus’ Church (望德聖母堂) is the oldest church site in Macau, and is the main church of St. Lazarus Parish.
The original building on the site was the Hermitage of Our Lady of Hope (more popularly known as St. Lazarus) which was established in 1570 to serve lepers. Around the same time a new settlement for lepers was set up outside the old city walls (which was then transferred to D. João Island in 1882, and then to Coloane in 1947, where it still is today).
The current building is from a complete rebuild in 1885. The Cross of Hope in the forecourt was retained from the original chapel.
Getting There
Address: No. 11 Adro de S. Lázaro
The church is quite close to Tap Seac Square (on the route if you walk there from any of the central locations).
Last Updated on February 14, 2018 by admin
Tap Seac Square is easily walkable from the centre of Macau – you can walk from Senado Square in around 20 minutes (although if you are sightseeing – I’d allow for longer and take in some other sights along the route).
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