Igreja Divino Salvador

In 1908, a plot of land on Rua Berquó, now Rua Divino Salvador, was purchased. This land, once a wasteland frequented by vagrants and even a site of murders, would become the home of Igreja Divino Salvador. The Salvatorian community, bolstered by the arrival of two new priests, Fathers Lourenço and Fidelis, needed more space. The Igreja Divino Salvador became their project. In 1910, the groundbreaking ceremony took place, led by Bishop Agostinho Benassi of Niterói. The construction of Igreja Divino Salvador continued until its inauguration on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1912. This is all meticulously recorded in the church’s logbook, written by Father Felisberto Schubert, the founder of both the church and the parish. The initial structure of Igreja Divino Salvador measured 30 by 10 meters. A residence for the priests, which also housed a school, was inaugurated in 1913. From its inception, Igreja Divino Salvador has been a hub of religious activity. Recognizing this, Cardinal Arcoverde granted the church the privilege of acting as a parish church in 1920. It wasn’t until April 7, 1936, that Igreja Divino Salvador officially became a parish, thanks to Cardinal Sebastião Leme. Father Schubert served as the first parish priest until February 1944. Today, Igreja Divino Salvador stands as an example of Neo-Gothic architecture, its facade adorned with stained glass windows and rose windows. A bust of the founder of the Salvatorian order greets visitors at the entrance. The church also serves the community with a daycare for mothers in need, a community pharmacy, and medical, dental, psychological, and physiotherapy services.