São José Church
History
The groundbreaking took place on 20 April 1902, as a result of the invitation of the bishop of the then Diocese of Mariana, Dom Silvério Gomes Pimenta, for the Dutch Redemptorist missionaries to assume the pastoral work in the São José Parish, which had been recently inaugurated on 27 January 1900.
The chosen place for the construction of the new church was on the hill between Tamoios and Espírito Santo Streets, facing Afonso Pena Avenue. It began to be used for religious functions in 1904. Its main staircase, designed and built by Verenfrido Vogels, was completed in 1910. The interior paintings, by German painter Guilherme Schumacher, were finished between 1911 and 1912. Its architecture was designed by Edgard Nascentes Coelho and the works were directed by Dutch Redemptorist Gregório Mulders.
Description
The church adopted the basilica plan, with three naves and polygonal apses in the transept. The interior decoration includes eight paintings on the central nave featuring the life of Saint Joseph. In the chancel there is a representation of the Holy Trinity on the main axis, flanked by figures of kings, queens, bishops, men and women, and a court of angels. On the sides it has paintings representing the twelve signs.
Gallery
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Façade detail
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Interior
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Exterior
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Entrance
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Left altar
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Interior
References
- ^ "Igreja São José Descrição". Portal Belo Horizonte. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ "História da Paróquia". Santuário São José. Retrieved 17 August 2022.