Igreja Metodista Unida

Hidden amidst the lively streets of Campo Grande, the Igreja Metodista Unida whispers tales of faith, resilience, and transformation. This unassuming church, located at 198 Avenida Belmiro Valverde, holds a significant place in the tapestry of Rio de Janeiro’s religious history. The Igreja Metodista Unida’s story begins in the heart of 19th-century England, where the Methodist movement took root. It then spread its wings across the Atlantic, finding fertile ground in the United States. In 1835, the echoes of Methodism reached the shores of Brazil. Pastor Fontain E. Pitts, a determined missionary from North America, held the first Methodist services in homes around Largo da Glória. However, the path of faith was not without its thorns. A predominantly Catholic nation, coupled with devastating yellow fever epidemics, presented significant challenges for the fledgling Methodist community. The dream of widespread evangelization was momentarily postponed. Yet, the embers of faith refused to be extinguished. In 1878, Reverend John J. Ransom arrived in Rio, reigniting the Methodist flame. He began holding services in his home on Rua do Catete. By 1882, a small chapel arose, a testament to the community’s unwavering devotion. This historical chapel still stands today, a silent witness to the church’s humble beginnings. In 1886, the current Igreja Metodista Unida building emerged beside the original chapel. This neoclassical and Gothic-inspired structure was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Januzzi. Its construction was met with resistance, with Catholics invoking a law prohibiting religious elements in the architecture of non-Catholic temples. Despite the obstacles, the church was completed, boasting a striking stone façade, a bell tower, and stained-glass windows. The Igreja Metodista Unida continued to evolve. In 1930, during the General Council, the Methodist Church in Brazil declared its independence from the United States. César Dacorso Filho was elected as the first Brazilian bishop in 1938. Four decades later, the church embraced change once more, ordaining its first female presbyter, Zeni Lima Soares, in 1974. In 1978, the Igreja Metodista Unida building, the first Methodist temple in Brazil, was recognized for its historical significance. It was listed by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage of Rio de Janeiro (INEPAC). Later, in 1994, it was designated as the Methodist Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.