João Gonçalves Zarco, discoverer of Madeira and first appointed captain of Funchal, commissioned the construction of this church in the 15th century.

It was extended at the end of that century to integrate it into the Santa Clara Convent. The church has artistic and architectural elements from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.

What remains of the original construction is the gothic marble portal and the tombs of João Gonçalves Zarco and his family (wife, son, daughter and son-in-law). Other objects of interest are a silver tabernacle crafted by Madeiran silversmiths in 1671, the decorative painting and tile wall covering of the church decorated in the Marvila pattern, which is considered unique in Madeira and the most complex carpet tile module executed in Portuguese factories.

The 15th century convent originally belonged to a cloistered order, but it is currently open to the public, who can visit gothic cloister, the ornate chapels and the beautiful nave of the church.