It is likely that the church was founded or rebuilt in 1528 by D. Pedro de Menezes, Master of Cantanhede, whose coat-of-arms were sculpted into the portico and intersections of the presbytery's vaulted ceiling.

[1] The first record work on the grounds occurred in 1936, with landscaping of the churchyard by the DGMEN Direcção Geral dos Edifícios e Monumentos Nacionais (General-Directorate for Buildings and National Monuments).

[1] On 1 June 1992, the property was placed on the protection of the IPPA Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico (Portuguese Institute of Architectural Patrimony), the forerunner of the IGESPAR, by decree 106F/92.

The main face of the church is defined by a bell-tower and lateral extensions; rounded gables extend from the belltower/entrance facade topped with corners and pilasters decorated with pinnacles.

[1] The four-story, central body includes a portico and entablature with jamb supporting a large window, crowned by tympanum by João de Ruão.

[1] This central block (consisting of separate registers for the portico, window, bell-tower and clock) were constructed in the Renaissance-era style, and distinguishable from the younger elements.

[1][2] The five-faceted, polygonal presbytery is covered in vaulted cross-shaped ceiling, forming a Greek cross with sharp edges, rosettas and the coat-of-arms of the Cantanhede family.

On the left wall is the embedded mausoleum of Cardinal D. José Manuel, who was the second patriarch of Lisbon, and family member of the Counts of Atalaia.