Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Modern Catholic church in Pampulha, Brazil.
The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi features a parabolic vault design with curved lines and light blue ceramic tiles covering its exterior walls.
Architect Oscar Niemeyer completed this religious building in 1943 as part of the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, yet the church remained unconsecrated for years due to its design.
The interior contains fourteen Stations of the Cross panels created by artist Candido Portinari, while Brazilian landscaper Burle Marx designed the surrounding gardens.
The church holds daily Mass services at 7:00, 10:30, and 18:00, with a special animal blessing ceremony occurring on the fourth day of each month.
The structural calculations by engineer Joaquim Cardozo implemented reinforced concrete techniques previously used only in aircraft hangars for this religious building.
Location: Pampulha
Location: Belo Horizonte
Inception: 1943
Architects: Oscar Niemeyer
Creator: Candido Portinari, Roberto Burle Marx, Alfredo Ceschiatti, Paulo Werneck
Architectural style: modern architecture
Floors above the ground: 2
Part of: Pampulha Modern Ensemble
GPS coordinates: -19.85836,-43.97897
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:55
Concrete churches from different countries show the architectural evolution of the 20th century. These structures combine geometric forms with modernist designs and use light as a design element. The buildings demonstrate the technical capabilities of concrete as a construction material for religious spaces.
Brazil features natural areas and local sites beyond major cities. The landscape spans from waterfalls and caves to coastal regions and mountains. National parks contain sand formations, lagoons, and coral reefs. Cultural places include traditional villages and historical sites.
Mineirão
1.2 km
Lake Pampulha
809 m
Pampulha Modern Ensemble
909 m
Christ the King Cathedral, Belo Horizonte
5.4 km
Mineirinho
786 m
Pampulha art museum
912 m
Zoological Garden of Belo Horizonte
3.3 km
Pampulha Dance Hall
1 km
Museu Casa Kubitschek
408 m
Engineering School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais
2.3 km
Belo Horizonte Botanical Garden
5.2 km
Yacht Tennis Club
1.1 km
Fazenda Lagoa do Nado Park
3.5 km
Belo Horizonte Aquarium
2.7 km
Ecological Station of the Federal University of Minas Gerais
3.3 km
Museu de Ciências Morfológicas da UFMG
1.7 km
Parque Municipal Ursulina de Andrade Mello
3.8 km
Nossa Senhora da Piedade Park
5.5 km
First of May Echologic Park
5.1 km
Parque Guanabara (Belo Horizonte)
151 m
Cinesercla Norte Shopping
5.4 km
Marco Zero da Pampulha
1.6 km
History of the Inquisition Museum
1.3 km
Cineart Shopping Del Rey
3.6 km
Central Library of the Federal University of Minas Gerais
1.7 km
Cássia Eller Park
3.1 km
Garden of Pampulha Art Museum
988 m
Mirante Niemeyer
325 mReviews
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