Eleven meters tall they stand. The granite columns of Paróquia São Luís Gonzaga. Imagine the sheer weight of those bronze capitals. Three tons each. Cast in the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios.
Here we are before Paróquia São Luís Gonzaga. A grand Greco-Roman church on Avenida Paulista. This isn’t just any church. It’s a testament to faith. It’s a piece of São Paulo’s history. The church’s story is intertwined with the Colegio São Luís.
Originally founded in Itu in 1867 the Colegio moved to São Paulo in 1917. It found a home on Avenida Paulista. The existing building was renovated between 1932 and 1933. A chapel was constructed on the corner of Avenida Paulista and Rua Bela Cintra.
The cornerstone of the new building was laid on March 7. It’s the feast day of St Thomas Aquinas. The Archbishop blessed the foundation stone. Many former students families and friends attended the ceremony. Construction continued.
In March 1935 the new chapel was finished. Archbishop Dom Duarte Leopoldo e Silva officiated the blessing. The consecration followed on November 1st. Dom José Gaspar de Fonseca e Silva the Auxiliary Bishop performed it.
Then in 1966 the chapel became a parish. Archbishop Dom Agnelo Rossi issued the decree. The Society of Jesus the Jesuits took charge. They’re an order founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1540.
Look closely at the portico. It’s Ionic style. It was inspired by the Temple of Erechtheion in Athens. The detail is exquisite. The pink granite the bronze capitals. They are a remarkable sight. They are a symbol of faith. They are a lasting legacy. Paróquia São Luís Gonzaga. A place of worship. A place of history. A place of beauty. A place to reflect on the rich tapestry of São Paulo’s past.