Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo

“A church born from a simple act of generosity.” That’s the essence of the Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo do Estácio de Sá. We stand before a testament to over two and a half centuries of faith in Rio de Janeiro. The Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo isn’t just a building. It’s a story etched in stone and faith. It all began in 1745 in the Largo do Estácio de Sá. This area was known then as Bica dos Marinheiros, Caminho do Rio Comprido, and later, Mata-porcos. In that year, Henrique Corrêa da Cosa and his wife, Antônia Maria de Jesus, donated a portion of their land. Their act of kindness allowed the local residents to build a temple honoring the Divine Holy Spirit. Soon after, the Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo de Mata-porcos (Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit of Mata-porcos) was formed. The original chapel was completed in 1749, with the first mass celebrated that same year. A cemetery existed beside the church grounds from 1809 to 1850. A significant historical event occurred in 1829. Emperor Pedro I needed a strategically located military base. The land next to the Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo proved ideal. The Empire rented the space. The Quartel de Mata-porcos (Mata-porcos Barracks) was built, housing the Cavalry Squadron of the Police Corps for 67 years. Officially, the Parish of the Holy Spirit was founded on July 8, 1865. Father Venâncio Lins Teles Barreto became the first Vicar on January 7, 1866. The original Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo served as the parish headquarters until 1908. That year, the headquarters moved to another church. This new church, also called Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo, is now known as São Joaquim. It’s located on Rua Joaquim Palhares. The Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo we see today began construction in 1897 on land donated in 1883 by Comendador Luiz Tavares Guerra. The cornerstone was laid that year. Construction continued, and the new church was finished in 1914. Services began that year. While not the main parish church, the Igreja do Divino Espírito Santo holds historical importance. It remains connected to the Parish of São Joaquim and is cared for by the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit. The church holds up to 200 people. It also runs a program distributing basic food baskets, a continuation of the spirit of generosity that birthed it.