Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Colonial Catholic church in São João del-Rei, Brazil.

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a colonial house of worship featuring a three-part facade with a rectangular central section flanked by two side towers. Detailed soapstone carvings frame the entrance, showcasing careful craftsmanship throughout.

Construction began in 1774 under a renowned sculptor and architect of the era, with modifications to the towers continuing until 1809. The project stretched across decades, reflecting the lengthy building phases typical of colonial religious works.

During Lent the church takes part in the city's "bell battle", competing with the other churches to ring its bells the longest and most vigorously. In Holy Week it receives the image of Our Lord of the Steps from the Cathedral for the Procession of Deposits, and the image later leaves from here in the Procession of the Encounter to meet Our Lady of Sorrows at Largo da Câmara.

The grounds around the church are stone-paved and lined with railings, making the visit straightforward to navigate. The monumental carved door clearly marks the entrance, so you know exactly where to go.

Aleijadinho's original front-elevation drawing, incomplete, survives in the Inconfidência Museum in Ouro Preto, which supports the attribution of the facade to him. The British traveler Sir Richard Burton, passing through Minas Gerais in the 19th century, called it the most spectacular facade in São João del-Rei, if not in all Minas Gerais.