Chiesa del Gesu
Original church of S. Maria della Strada:
Current baroque church: 1584
• When St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) brought the Society of Jesus, often called the Jesuits, to Rome in 1537 he was given S. Maria della Strada which was located here. When they needed a larger space, they demolished the old church and then built the Gesu. St. Ignatius lived in the rooms to the right of the Gesu from 1544-1556. These rooms can still be visited today.
• The new church first had a foundation stone laid around 1550 before delays. A second time, now with plans by Michelango, a foundation stone was laid in 1554 before delays. The third plan under Vignola, followed by Giovanni Tristano and then Giovanni De Rosis, was successful.
Facade
Artist: Giacomo Della Porta
Date: 1571-1575
• The statues are St. Ignatius (left) and St. Francis Xavier (right) who have relics within. The IHS is the Latin monogram"Iesus Hominum Salvator" which means Jesus Savior of Humanity.
• The benefactor was Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589). The Farnese coat of arms is at the top of the facade. The text reads: "Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, Vice-Chancellor, erected 1575."
• This facade indicates the transition from the Renaissance to the baroque. It was often imitated throughout Europe.