The name "Arrifes" has its origin in the Arab word "Al-rife" as meaning "reef" or coastal outcropping/rocks. It is unclear whether this name was attributed to the area around Relva originally or was given for other reasons. Constructed in the second-half of the 18th-Century, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Saúde, incorporated the older chapel of the same name, originally initiated by D. Margarida Bettencourt da Câmara in her last will and testament on 12 July 1627. In 1764 and 1765 it was subject to remodelling that expanded the structure to the current dimensions. Designed in the Baroque-style of the post-modern period, this structure consists of a single tower and white-facade typical of Azorean churches, while the interior altar and sacristy have ornate gold-leaf cornices and niches. In the area of Piedade, another chapel was constructed in the name of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, and ordered constructed by João Dias Caridade at the beginning of the 16th-Century, and subject to major renovations in 1791. Further, the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milgares, constructed after 1816, by the community and completed in 1831. It was this church that was responsible for elevating the community to the status of parish on 3 April 1959. Romarias and associated festivals are celebrated from this church on the first Sunday after 15 August.
Geography
It is situated northeast of the urbanized core of Ponta Delgada and constituted from three main localities: Piedade, Saúde and Milagres. Also, it extends from these communities toward the north-northeast until Serra Gorda, making it the largest parish in the municipality, and one of the largest on the island. Other localities are Arribanas, Castanheira, Grotinha, Nordela and Recantos. Landlocked, Arrifes is surrounded by Capelas to the north, São Jose to the south, São Sebastião and Fajã de Cima to the east, and fronts the parish of Relva and Covoada to the west.
Economy
Its extensive size allows the support of dairy-cattle; in fact, Arrifes is the largest milk-producing region of the Azores, and home of the islands main dairy factories, responsible for supporting most of the island's demand, as well as export requirements.
Architecture
Church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, based on a 15th-century, later remodelled in the 20th century comprising a single nave and belltower, illuminated by a uniform series of windows along the lateral wings. The principal facade is decorated by a curvilinear pediment and oculus, the two-story belltower, decorated in cornices and balustrades, similar to the parochial Church of Candelária and Church of Ginetes;
Church of Nossa Senhora da Saude, a 17th-century chapel transformed into church, comprising single nave, prebystery, annexes and belltower on its left, illuminated intensely by rectangular lateral windows. The church is comparable to the Church of Fenais da Luz and parochial Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda da Bretanha;
Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, inspired by the latter Baroque, the church carries the same architectural profile as its parish neighbours, including single nave and belltower;
Culture
Festivities
The rural parish celebrates many of its religious festivals from June until late September. Firstly, there is the Romarias and festivities that are realized on the first Sunday after 15 August, from the Church of Nossa Senhora da Saúde. But these are also followed by the celebrations on the third Sunday of September at Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, and on the fourth Sunday of September at the Church of Nossa Senhora do Piedade.
