A haven of faith stands before you. This is the Igreja Presbiteriana do Rio de Janeiro. Its story is one of resilience faith and enduring legacy.
Founded in 1862 this church was the first Presbyterian church in all of Brazil. Rev Ashbel Green Simonton a 26-year-old American missionary established it. He held the first services in a building on Rua Nova do Ouvidor. Two individuals Henry E Milford and Camilo Cardoso de Jesus were the first to publicly profess their faith there.
The church moved several times. It briefly met in Campo de Santana before finding a more permanent location. This was at Travessa da Barreira later renamed Rua Silva Jardim. The building however was not initially what one might envision as a grand cathedral. Laws of the time restricted non-Catholic churches from having elaborate religious architecture.
Rev Alexander Latimer Blackford acquired the property in 1870 for thirteen contos de reis. He oversaw the construction of the first Presbyterian building in Brazil. This modest structure was inaugurated in 1874.
A major transformation occurred under Rev Alvaro Reis and later Rev Mattathias Gomes dos Santos. They spearheaded a campaign for a grand new building. Architect Ascânio Viana designed the new Neo-Gothic style structure. The foundation was incredibly strong. Rev Mattathias famously stated it could withstand a locomotive. The construction took about fourteen years. The new Igreja Presbiteriana opened in 1934. It was declared a cathedral soon after.
Subsequent renovations continued to improve the church. The exterior stone and ornamentation required restoration in 1960. The towers were eventually completed. A significant renovation was overseen by Rev Guilhermino Cunha. The work included restoring the original design by Ascanio Viana. The final restoration in 2002 culminated in the addition of towers and stained-glass windows.
Today the Igreja Presbiteriana do Rio de Janeiro stands as a testament to the perseverance of faith. It is a symbol of Presbyterianism in Brazil. Its magnificent architecture illuminates the city at night. Its history continues to inspire.