Seventy-five years of history reside within the district of São Mateus. Located about 20 km east of São Paulo’s center, São Mateus began as a vast expanse of land. In 1946, the Bei family purchased this land and established Fazenda São Mateus.
Two years later, in 1948, Mateo Bei decided to sell the land. Thus began the district of São Mateus. To commemorate this occasion, a thanksgiving mass took place on December 8 of that year. Bishop Dom Antônio de Macedo led the service.
Salvador Bei chose the name “Cidade São Mateus” to honor his father, Mateo Bei. Years later, the district’s first avenue was named after the patriarch. The Bei family used the term “cidade” believing the district would become a thriving city.
In 1952, Nildo Gregório da Silva created the “Voz da Colina” association. It aimed to improve the region in areas like transport, education, health, and leisure. Mateo Bei also promoted cultural and socioeconomic progress in São Mateus. In 1990, the district unsuccessfully attempted to secede from the capital to become a municipality.
São Mateus borders Itaquera, Vila Prudente, and Guaianases. The Line 15-Prata serves São Mateus with the São Mateus and Jardim Colonial metro stations. Jardim Colonial station opened in December 2021. The Terminal Metropolitano São Mateus has been operating since 1988.
Several neighborhoods comprise the district of São Mateus. They include Cidade IV Centenário, Cidade São Mateus, and Cidade Satélite Santa Bárbara. You will also find Jardim Cinco de Julho, Jardim Colonial, and Jardim Egle. Other neighborhoods are Jardim Imperador, Jardim Itamarati, and Jardim Itápolis. Plus Jardim Laranjal, Jardim Nove de Julho, and Jardim Ricardo. Furthermore, there is Jardim Santa Adélia, Jardim São Cristóvão, and Jardim São José. Finally, Jardim Tietê, Jardim Três Marias, Vila Flávia, Vila Paraguaçu, and Vila Santo Antônio.
São Mateus has seen accelerated development since 1956. This resulted from the economic growth of ABC Paulista and migration to São Paulo. Migrants came from Minas Gerais, Portugal, Japan, the interior of São Paulo, and the Northeast.
Avenida Mateo Bei serves as the commercial hub of São Mateus. The district has a population of approximately 155,682 people. In 2010, the census recorded 74,840 males and 80,300 females. Those figures highlight the balanced community within São Mateus.