When it comes to the tombs that covered the quarry on the west side of the original cemetery board, the wealthy José Henriques Soares had the initiative to have the first one erected. This merchant was one of the most fervent supporters of King Peter IV and even lent non-refundable money to the war effort.
As a form of recognition, he was made Baron of Ancede. It is said in the family that he wanted a tomb as close as possible to the tomb with the heart of King Peter IV (located inside the Lapa Church). This place was located right at the entrance of the Lapa Cemetery, on the west side, where he had his tomb erected, being the first tomb-chapel in Portugal.
Built at the end of 1839 or in the beginning of 1840, when José Henriques Soares was President of the Lapa Brotherhood, his vault-chapel is the only one in the cemetery that still does not have an altar - it demonstrates how experimental it was, even if its facade seems to have been inspired by what used to be the entrance to the British Cemetery in Porto.
This tomb exhibits a neopalladian taste, with a well-marked and austere rustic finish. It has no crowning element on top and the only ornament on the facade is the coat of arms.
This tomb established the concept of tomb-chapels that prevailed in Porto throughout the Romanticism period.