Church of Our Lady of Mercy and Forgiveness, Colonial church in Ouro Preto, Brazil

The Church of Our Lady of Mercy and Forgiveness, known as Mercês de Baixo, was built in Ouro Preto between 1740 and 1772 on the site of the earlier Capela do Senhor Bom Jesus dos Perdões. Its interior holds a main altar, a choir, four side altars and two pulpits carved in wood; Aleijadinho was paid six oitavas of gold for the design of the chancel.

The Church of Our Lady of Mercy and Forgiveness was built between 1740 and 1772 on the site of the earlier Capela do Senhor Bom Jesus dos Perdões, already standing in 1740. Aleijadinho was paid six oitavas of gold for the design of the chancel. The church was renovated in the mid-20th century.

Aleijadinho was paid six oitavas of gold for the design of the main chapel (capela-mor). The interior holds the main altar, a choir, four side altars and two pulpits carved in wood, all from the colonial period.

The church stands on the lower slope of Ouro Preto's historic centre, downhill from the Mercês de Cima church, which is why it is called Mercês de Baixo. The interior is reached on foot through the colonial street grid; the carved wooden pulpits and side altars are best seen in daylight.

Aleijadinho was paid six oitavas of gold for the design of the chancel arch, a detail few visitors notice. The interior also holds four side altars and two pulpits carved in wood, works tied to the same artist's circle in colonial Ouro Preto.