Parish Church of Our Lady of Victory


The Parish Church of Our Lady of Victory is a 17th-century Roman Catholic church in São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil. The church is one of the earliest remaining structures in both the town of São Cristóvão and the state of Sergipe; it is also one of the main elements of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão. Our Lady of Victory remains home to an active congregation and belongs to the Archdiocese of Aracaju.

History

Our Lady of Victory was built as a parish church in 1608 by Dom Constantino Barradas, the fourth Bishop of Bahia, during the pontificate of Pope Paul V. It bears the crest of Philip IV of Spain as Brazil was a colony within the Iberian Union. The church was eventually elevated to an Episcopal See. It was heavily damaged during the eight years of Dutch rule in São Cristóvão, from 1637 to 1645; the city served alternately as a base for Portuguese guerillas and as a seat of power for the Dutch.
São Cristóvão was greatly expanded after the end of Dutch rule and Our Lady of Victory was reconstructed by local inhabitants. The town sent an appeal to the King of Portugal for money for a full renovation of the church in 1666, and eventually received 4,000 cruzados in 1702. Our Lady of Victory served as a nucleus for the construction of other religious structures in São Cristóvão; its renovation was followed by the construction of the Church and Convent of Santa Cruz , the Convent and Church of the Order of Carmo, Misericórdia Hospital and Church and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary of Black Men.

Structure

Our Lady of Victory was constructed on the side of a hill on the highest point in the upper city. It sits at the head of Praça São Francisco de Assis plaza, now known as Praça Getulio. It has an imposing façade with two towers covered in white Portuguese tile. The doors of the church are in decorated wood. The interior of the church is simple with paintings attributed to José Teófilo de Jesus.

Protected status

The Parish Church of Our Lady of Victory was listed as a historic structure by the National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute in 1976. The structures were registered under the Book of Historical Works, Inscription 263-A and Book of Fine Arts, Inscription fls. 57. Both directives are dated March 20, 1943.

Access

The church is open to the public and may be visited.