[1][2][3][4][5] The Church of the Third Order of Penitence of Saint Dominic occupies the north-west perimeter of the Terreiro de Jesus.

Membership to the Third Order, as with other Carmelite and Franciscan Third Orders, was limited to citizens of pure Portuguese descent, and excluded those of Jewish, Moorish, or African descent; of "an impeccable moral record"; of financial means to support the Brotherhood; and after 1759, not a member of the Society of Jesus.

Vasco Fernandes César de Meneses (1673–1741), Viceroy of Brazil, was present at the inaugural ceremony, and was admitted to the order on the same day.

[1][2][4][5] Construction of the seat of the Brotherhood on the Terreiro de Jesus was carried out by João Antunes dos Reis.

Joaquim José da Rocha (c. 1737–1807) completed the Baroque trompe-l'œil ceiling painting of the nave in the 18th century; it survived subsequent renovations of the structure.

The Third Order of Saint Dominic attempted to purchase three houses from the Franciscans to expand its headquarters; the sale fell into dispute and was only settled in 1781.

It interior has a single monumental nave, a choir, a chancel and high altar, a sacristy, two lateral corridors, a room dedicated to Our Lady of Death (Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte), a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Death, a massive circular stairway of jacaranda wood, and miscellaneous other rooms.