Church of Our Lord of Bonfim, Colonial Catholic church in Pirenópolis, Brazil
Church of Our Lord of Bonfim is a colonial-era religious building in Pirenópolis with two bell towers and a symmetrical interior layout adapted to the historic town center. The main worship space contains three altars, with the principal one featuring intricate wooden carvings and detailed ornamental work throughout.
Sergeant-major Antônio José de Campos, a Portuguese miner from Avis, ordered the church built between 1750 and 1754 with enslaved labour, in adobe and taipa de pilão, on the Largo do Bonfim. A local legend ties it to rivalry with the Igreja do Carmo, raised the same year. Campos was buried here in 1795, and the church replaced the Matriz during repairs.
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00, and the church's annual feast falls on 14 September, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Locals come here to ask the blessing of Senhor do Bonfim before journeys, surgeries and weddings, which are also held in the church. During the Festa do Divino the arrival of the Folia and the start and end of the cavalhadas take place here, with horsemen and masked figures praying.
The building sits in the historic town center and is easily reached on foot when walking through the old streets and alleyways. It remains open to visitors during standard hours, though access may be limited during private religious celebrations or special events.
The main altar follows the plan of the side altars at the Carmo church, but larger, with more elaborate carving on the pediment. Its deep central niche holds the Crucified Christ, and the cross is ringed by unusually long gilded rays, flanked at the foot by two carved ornaments set against a plain background.
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