Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto

In 1649, a skilled carpenter named João Fernandes arrived in Rio de Janeiro. He carried with him not only his tools but also a cherished image of Nossa Senhora do Parto. He hailed from the picturesque island of Madeira, Portugal. Fernandes immediately purchased land, driven by a vision. He began constructing a humble chapel to house the revered image. This marked the nascent beginnings of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto soon became more than just a place of worship. In 1759, a Recolhimento, or refuge, was built alongside the chapel. This refuge, known as the Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora do Parto, served as a sanctuary for repentant prostitutes and adulterous women. The Recolhimento was funded by a bequest from Estevão Dias de Oliveira, intended for the benefit of his soul. The construction was overseen by Bishop Frei Antônio do Desterro. Both the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto and the Recolhimento stood side-by-side on Rua dos Ourives. This street spanned from Rua da Assembleia to Rua São José, a section now known as Rua Rodrigo Silva. The Recolhimento, however, became a place of confinement for women deemed undesirable by their husbands or fathers. These women were not necessarily sinners, but rather victims of societal expectations. Tragedy struck when a devastating fire ravaged the three-story Recolhimento. The fire nearly claimed the lives of the women within. The community rallied together to extinguish the flames. The Vice-Rei, D. Luiz de Vasconcelos, spearheaded the reconstruction efforts. The Recolhimento continued its mission until 1812. The women were then transferred to the Recolhimento da Misericórdia. The original building of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto met its end in 1906. It was demolished to make way for the widening of Rua da Assembleia. A new building was later constructed. It faced Rua Rodrigo Silva, with windows overlooking both Rua da Assembleia and Rua São José. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Parto found its new home on the ground floor of this building, continuing its legacy of faith and sanctuary. The church even launched a fundraising campaign in recent times to revitalize its historic structure.