Ready to explore a church with a transformative tale? Paróquia Jesus Ressuscitado has a story of rebirth. It reflects the spirit of its community.
In the early 1970s Belém grew rapidly. New housing complexes emerged. Residents needed a nearby place for spiritual guidance. The Archdiocese of Belém established a new parish. On April 19 1973 Dom Alberto Gaudêncio Ramos signed the decree. The church was first named Paróquia de Jesus Cristo Nosso Senhor. This encompassed areas like Estrada do Aeroporto de Val-de-Cães and Maracangalha.
For five years it was known as Paróquia de Jesus Cristo Nosso Senhor. On March 26 1978 a change occurred. A new decree renamed it Paróquia Jesus Ressuscitado. Parishioners wanted to emphasize a key attribute of Jesus. They chose the Resurrection.
The first parish priest was Father Godofredo Marques. He was Dutch from the order of the Cruzios. He served for about seven years. The second priest was Father Maione a Jesuit. He only stayed for a year. Father Geraldo Copray followed. He was also Dutch from the Cruzios order. He led the parish for sixteen years the longest term to date. Father Luiz Rabelo was the first diocesan priest to take over. Since January 31 2004 Father Claudio Barradas has been the parish priest.
After its creation on paper the challenge was to build a physical church. Father Godofredo secured the land. COHATUBE a housing cooperative donated the land. The first church building was cross-shaped. Its European style featured wood. The walls were made of brasilit roofing sheets. They nearly touched the ground.
As the congregation grew the original church became too small. Father Geraldo Copray initiated a major renovation. He used personal funds and donations from family in the Netherlands. The new church was built of masonry. It had a heptagonal shape. The community approved the design. The renovated church had only three doors. The sanctuary was to the left of the entrance. It is where the image of Santa Maria de Belém now stands. Behind the altar a door led to a painting of the Resurrected Jesus.
Time brought further changes. In 2007 under Father Claudio Barradas the church was revitalized. The heptagonal structure remained. However the aesthetics were transformed. The presbytery was made of marble with rounded lines. Thirteen windows were added around the church. The painting of the Resurrected Jesus was replaced. It was replaced with a carving of the Resurrected Christ. A beautiful chapel for the Blessed Sacrament was built. The sacristy was completely renovated. New pews were purchased. The renovated church reopened in December 2007. More recently a catechetical center was added. It features six rooms on the ground floor. It also has two large halls upstairs.
Paróquia Jesus Ressuscitado stands as a testament to faith community and renewal. Its story is etched in every stone. It shows in every renovation. It reflects the enduring spirit of its people.