“How far is the Igreja de São José?” That question sparked the creation of Igreja Matriz de São João Batista. The story of this church is one of community growth and perseverance. It shows how faith can shape a neighborhood. We stand now before a testament to Botafogo’s history.
Back in 1808 Dom João VI received a request. People from Lagoa and Botafogo wanted their own church. The Igreja de São José was too far. It took almost a full day to travel there. So the Igreja Matriz de São João Batista came to be.
In 1809 the parish of São João Batista da Lagoa was founded. The first church was Capela de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. This chapel was near Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. It was small and old dating back to 1732. In 1826 the chapel fell apart. Services moved to an even smaller chapel. It was located on São Clemente Street.
Everything changed in 1831. Joaquim Marques Batista de Leão donated land. He wanted a new church built on the land. The location was on the new São Joaquim Street. In 1870 the street was renamed Rua dos Voluntários da Pátria. This honored soldiers from the war against Paraguay.
The cornerstone was laid in June 1831. Bishop José Caetano da Silva Coutinho did the honors. Joaquim Bethencourt da Silva designed the church. Construction was slow due to difficulties. Resources were scarce. The main chapel opened in 1836. The chapel of Santíssimo opened in 1837. The first procession occurred in 1841.
Major Beaurepaire Rohan opened Rua da Matriz in 1858. This street faced the church. It was intended to highlight the facade.
Around 1860 Father José Correia de Sá Coelho moved the baptismal font. The church was still under construction. He abandoned the chapels on São Clemente Street. Monsignor Francisco Martins do Monte took over in 1862. He finished the church in 1864 after 33 years.
Botafogo grew quickly. A larger church was needed. Reconstruction began in 1873. The style was neoclassical. The facade used beige stone from Morro da Viúva. The work finished in 1875.
Towers were added starting in 1877. The bell tower was built first. Then came the tower of the Epistle. Adolfo Morales de Los Rios redesigned them in 1880. They were completed between 1895 and 1900. A European clock was installed in 1907. The Arsenal da Marinha cast three bells in 1947. Early in the century a famous organ was installed. Experts still consider it the best in Rio de Janeiro.
In 1958 the city widened Rua Voluntários da Pátria. The priest decided to demolish the old church. He wanted a modern temple. Side altars were damaged. The walls and baptistery were torn down. The historic baptismal font disappeared. The building became unstable. The facade leaned.
Protests stopped the demolition. Father Arlindo Thiesen took over. He saved the church. Restoration work began in 1967. The tilt was corrected. Arches were opened in the nave. A new French clock was installed in 1999. The church became Igreja Matriz in 1809.
Today Igreja Matriz de São João Batista holds 250 people. It runs social programs. These include health and support for the elderly. There are also groups for people overcoming addiction. This church remains a vital part of Botafogo. It has served the community for over 200 years.