Mother Church of Saint Joseph

Discover the history Mother Church of Saint Joseph.

In 1750, a group of settlers from the Azores Islands landed in São José, giving rise to the town. Shortly afterwards, the Parish of São José was created. The original church, built of wattle and daub, was replaced by a wooden one.

In 1833, São José was elevated to the category of village, and it is believed that at that time the current Parish Church was already built. In 1836, the town was elevated to city status.

The church has gone through several notable events over the years. In 1845, it received a visit from Emperor Dom Pedro II and his wife, who provided financial assistance for the reconstruction. In 1846, a tower collapsed, leading to the demolition of the temple except for the Presbytery. During the reconstruction, the two side chapels, decorated in the Portuguese colonial style, were added.

Over the years, other parishes were separated from São José. In 1968 and 1969, restoration work was carried out on the temple, including painting and restoration of the tower.

The Igreja Matriz de São José is a historic landmark that has undergone several transformations over the years. In 1988, it underwent a complete renovation, with the renovation of the plaster and internal and external painting.

Come and discover the beauty and history of this church that has witnessed the development of São José over the centuries.

Tip: Take advantage of your visit to discover the Bica da Carioca, less than 100 meters away from the Church, in addition to the Teatro Adolpho Mello and the Gilberto Gerlach Museum, both around the Igreja Matriz square.

Mass times:

Wednesday: 7pm

Friday: 3:20pm

First Fridays: 7pm

Saturday: 6pm

Sunday: 8am and 7pm

Distance from Florianopolis: 8.4 km