São José Church

The São José Archdiocesan Sanctuary, commonly known as São José Church, is a Catholic church built in an eclectic style, with references to Gothic Revival and Neo-Manueline architecture. It is in the Centro neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The church occupies elevated ground bounded by Tamoios, Espírito Santo, Tupis, and Rio de Janeiro streets, with its main façade facing Afonso Pena Avenue. It is the seat of São José Parish, which was established on 27 January 1900 and entrusted to the Redemptorists. Construction of the parish church began in 1902. Services started being held in the building on 19 March 1904, and construction was completed in 1910. The design was prepared by engineer Edgard Nascentes Coelho. Construction was initially directed by Dutch Redemptorist brother Gregório Mulders and was completed by Verenfrido Vogels, who was also responsible for the monumental stairways. The church has a Latin cross plan and a basilica layout with three naves. It measures 60 m (200 ft) long and 19 m (62 ft) wide. Its exterior combines eclectic and Neo-Manueline forms. Between 1911 and 1912, Guilherme Schumacher covered much of the interior with paintings of biblical episodes, saints, plant ornament, and celestial groupings. The church was placed under municipal heritage protection in 1990. The architectural and landscaped ensemble formed by the church, convent, gardens

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