The Church of Jesus, also known under the name of Santa Maria di gesù and Casa Professa, is one of the most notable Baroque churches in Palermo and all of Sicily.

Monks from the order of Jesuits arrived in Palermo in the mid-16th century, and at the end of that century began the construction of a Church near his main house – Casa Professa. The Cathedral was designed by the Jesuit architect Giovanni Tristano. Originally the Church had a Central nave with large transepts and several side chapels, but in the early 17th century to give it a majestic appearance that was characteristic of Jesuit architecture, Natal Museo Archeologico added to the main nave, two side altars, removing the walls between the chapels. In 1636 a solemn consecration of the new Church.

In the 18th century the Church interior was decorated with marble bas-reliefs on themes "Blessing of the shepherd" and "the adoration of the Magi" work Gioacchino Vitagliano – both bas-relief preserved to our days. On the walls of one of the chapels you can see the fresco "adoration of the Magi", written in the second half of the 18th century Antonio Grano. Also the Church kept the relief Ignazio Marabotti "Glory to St. Luke".

In 1892 knight of the order of Salvatore di Pietro, former rector of the Casa Professa, philanthropist, prefect of the Seminary, a member of the Theological College and the Academy of Sciences and arts, and member of the Academy of national history, persuaded Paolo Boselli, Minister of education of Italy, to make the Church of Jesus national monument.

During the air raids on Palermo in the Second World war, one bomb hit the dome of the Church, causing it to collapse along with most of the walls and frescoes in the altar part of the Church and the transepts. After two years of restoration work unique frescoes were restored, and in February 2009, the Church was re-inaugurated – the first mass was held by Paolo Romeo, Archbishop of Palermo.