Project

World Monuments Fund is engaged in the restoration of the Church of São José and Santa Cecilia. The project was identified as a priority by the Museum of Sacred Art of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is a strong advocate for the comprehensive restoration of the church’s exterior, interior, and artwork.

World Monuments Fund is engaged in the restoration of the Church of São José and Santa Cecilia. The project was identified as a priority by the Museum of Sacred Art of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is a strong advocate for the comprehensive restoration of the church’s exterior, interior, and artwork.

Work began in August 2010 focusing on condition surveys and repairs to the roof. Significant work has been accomplished and roof tiles have been removed, cleaned and repaired. All roof tiles were returned after structural work was completed. In the interior of the nave and main chapel, the deteriorated wood lining was removed to reveal a severely damaged wooden frame. An immediate priority was the replacement of deteriorated elements with new pieces, identical in size to the original. The lining was replaced with cedar boards. Intact pieces of the wooden molding surrounding the nave and transept replaced missing pieces, restoring visual unity to the interior. The transept arch, altar, and altarpieces were also restored. Paint analysis revealed the original color scheme and composition for the conservation of the pictorial elements. Conservators are currently in the process of exposing and conserving the original mural paintings and decorative finishes of the walls and altars, which had remained covered with paint for decades. The interior work was completed in early 2012 and a celebration took place on March 18 to commemorate the feast of São José.