The name of São Roque do Faial parish had source in a chapel that existed in the XVI century, in name of the protector saint of São Roque party that gave his name to the parish.

Like this, is the creator of São Roque parish, where the first church was raised in 1551 at Chão da Ribeira. However, after the big rainfall, was taken to the sea. Today, exists in the same place a replica of the church as recall.

Later, a new church was raised above, in a loin, faraway to the stream.

The population of this parish took place in 1538, with people of north of Portugal, ou maybe from north of Africa or Canarias Islands.