The Church of Our Lady of Rosary (St Dominic's Church, or Igreja de S?o Domingos), is a 17th century Baroque church in Largo S?o Domingos (St Dominic's Square). It is said to be one of the most beautiful church in Macau, and certainly one of the best kept.
The Church of Our Lady of Rosary stands on the site near a market, and it was established by three Spanish Dominican friars who came to Macau in 1587 from Acapulco in Mexico. As the friars did not have enough fund, the first church was constructed with wooden planks. So the Chinese citizens called the Church "Pan Cheong Tong (Wooden Planks Church).

     The Dominican friars also built a monastery next to the church . Later the Spanish friars were expelled from Macau and the Church and Monastery were transferred to Portuguese priests.

     The Church has some sad history. In 1644, an armed officer aligned to the Spanish against the Portuguese was assassinated at the altar during a Mass. Again in 1707, the Dominicans supported the Pope in opposition to Macau's Jesuit bishop causing the Rites Controversy. After local soldiers attempted to impose an excommunication order on the Dominicans, the friars took shelter in the church for three days and bombarded the soldiers with stones. Once more in 1834, under the conflict between the Roman Catholic Church and Portuguese Government, the church building and the monastery were confiscated and used as military barracks, stable, post office and fire station. Finally the monastery was sold and demolished, only the church was retained.
The Church was refurbished in 1997 and opened to the public along with a museum. The museum exemplifies paintings, liturgical ornaments and sculptures illustrating the record of the Roman Catholic institutions in Asia. The Church is one of the heritage buildings in the Historic Centre of Macao inscribed by Unesco as the World Heritage Site.

     It was at this church that the first Portuguese newspaper on Chinese soil was published. It was called A Abelha da China (The China Bee), and the first issue rolled off the press on 12 September 1822.

     As an example of Filipino style church, it is decorated with beautiful artistic imaginary. Its imposing fa?ade is adorned with cream-colored stones lining moldings and green-shuttered windows made of white stucco. The huge baroque alter contains a fine white bust of the Virgin and Child and a work of art of Christ. The Church has bright yellow walls with mouldings and ornamentation in white. The doors and louvre windows are painted green. At the pediment is the insignia of the Dominican Order. The structure comprises the nave, the chancel and a three-storey bell tower. By the side door, you can also visit the church's museum. Among the items on display are the robes of the priests and other religious items of the Dominican Order.