It is the oldest functioning church in Brazil, according to the Brazilian National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.

The church is dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian and belongs to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife.

[1][2][3] Construction of the Church of Saints Cosme and Damião began in 1535, when Duarte Coelho, grantee of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, landed in Igarassu to take control of the territory, donated to him by the Portuguese crown.

The church was rebuilt by increasing its volume, but retaining its simple façade, triangular pediment, and a single portal.

Two silver objects were stolen from the church: a naveta, a type of incense burner, and a spoon used for Communion.

[5] The Church of Saints Cosme and Damião consists of a simple façade with a triangular pediment and single central portal; it has elements of Renaissance architecture, likely due to its design in the 16th century.

The structure retains the design of the chapel depicted in Frans Post's painting of the 17th century, but was enlarged in 1755.

The church is flanked on the left by a single bell tower topped by a bulbous pyramid; it dates to the 18th century.

The sacristy has paintings that date to 1729; they depict life in the city of Igarassu, episodes of the Dutch War, and allusions to the first Portuguese settlers in the region.