In 1958, the Franciscan community of Lourenço Marques in what was then Portuguese Mozambique commissioned the construction of a new church. After an initial design by Luis Possolo was rejected by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing in 1959, Lopes was commissioned to create a new design. The church features a central floor plan with three different levels of folding planes. Its shape resembles an ‘upside-down flower’ or, as it is commonly known, a ‘lemon squeezer’. 

Due to the shape of its roof, the church building only has the round church interior space itself, into which light can enter from all sides through colourful windows. Additional small, coloured windows are also built into the roof dome. The church is considered unique in Maputo due to its modern, expressive architectural style.

In use. The church remains an active parish in Maputo. The building was restored in 1992 and 2019 (last updated on February 10, 2026).