Church of São José and Santa Cecilia

The Church of São José and Santa Cecilia, officially called Capela Imperial de São José dos Homens Pardos ou Bem Casados e Santa Cecilia dos Músicos, is located in Ouro Preto, a World Heritage city renowned for its baroque architecture. Construction on the church began in 1760, at the peak of the city’s affluence, which was derived from gold and diamond mining. The unique combination of a single tower over a curved projecting balcony and single door in the façade distinguishes the building from other baroque churches in the region. Antônio Francisco Lisboa, nicknamed Aleijadinho (little cripple), the renowned eighteenth-century Brazilian sculptor and architect, designed the church altar and tower. The structure has been a National Monument since 1939 and is currently under the administration of the Museum of Sacred Art of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Despite its significance, the church was unused for years and was affected by geotechnical instability, previous inappropriate interventions, and insufficient maintenance, all of which have led to its deterioration.

World Monuments Fund supported the restoration of the Church of São José and Santa Cecilia in collaboration with the Museum of Sacred Art of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a strong advocate for the comprehensive restoration of the church’s exterior, interior, and artwork. 

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