User:Claudre/Church of Our Lady of Lapa dos Mercadores

The Church of Our Lady of Lapa of the Merchants (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lapa dos Mercadores, in portuguese) is a Catholic temple located at 35 Ouvidor Street (rua do Ouvidor), between Mercado Street (rua do Mercado) and 1st of March Street (rua Primeiro de Março), in the historic center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It stands right on the corner of Comércio Alley, which leads to the touristy and historic Arco do Teles, and is owned by the Catholic Brotherhood of the same name, founded in 1750.

History
The elliptical-shaped temple dates back to two small oratories built around 1743 by traders and residents of the area, on the corner of a house in the stretch in front of Cruz Street (behind the current Church of Santa Cruz dos Militares), under the invocation of Our Lady of Lapa of the Merchants. The devotion to Our Lady of Lapa was brought from Portugal and was common among the traders. A few years later, on June 20, 1747, these merchants gathered and established a brotherhood for the construction of a temple under the invocation of Our Lady of Lapa, also known as the "Church of the Peddlers." Over time, they thrived and changed the terminology to "Merchants."

The royal provision for its construction was issued on November 4 of the same year, and in the following December, the foundations of the temple were laid. The works progressed rapidly, so that on August 6, 1750, the part of the temple ready for worship was consecrated. From 1753 to 1755, the works continued until its completion. The interior decoration was finished by 1766.

In the second half of the 19th century, between 1869 and 1879, the temple underwent extensive remodeling and expansion works, sponsored by the Baron of Lagoa. The brotherhood acquired the property at number 23 Travessa do Comércio and expanded the small church. During the demolition of the property purchased from the Order of São Francisco da Penitência, a round medallion was found beneath the floor, made of Portuguese lioz stone, depicting the image of Mary being crowned by the Holy Trinity. After a controversy about who owned the artistic piece, the medallion was placed on the facade of the church, where it remains prominently displayed.

During the outbreak of the Second Brazilian Naval Revolt, a shot fired by the battleship Aquidabã, which was attempting to target the Itamaraty Palace - then the seat of government - hit the bell tower of this church on September 25, 1893. This shot knocked down the life-sized statue of Our Lady of Faith - a medieval devotion that, with a finger gesture, called upon people to enter the temple. Despite falling from a height of over 25 meters, the statue suffered minimal damage - only two fingers broke. This event was considered miraculous at the time. Both the statue and the projectile that struck it are now displayed in the sacristy. Later, the first carillon in the city was installed in the tower, predating the one in the Church of São José.

In 2020, the church was closed and condemned by the Civil Defense. The brotherhood that owns the temple was facing financial difficulties, until an intervention by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro appointed a real estate businessman to serve as the administrator of the entity on March 6, 2023.

Following the guidelines of the Heritage Commission of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, the Brotherhood, with private resources, undertook the recovery and restoration of the nationally protected property. The bells were reactivated and chime every hour. The temple reopened for worship on June 10, 2023, completely renewed, during a Solemn Mass presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Dom Orani Tempesta, in the presence of Mayor Eduardo Paes.

The clock in its tower, which had been stopped since 1922, was reinaugurated by the Church on August 23, 2023, in a ceremony with an episcopal blessing given by the auxiliary bishop of Rio de Janeiro, Dom Roque Souza. The mechanism was produced in Italy by a specialized company in facade clocks.

The property has been listed as a national heritage site by IPHAN (Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage) since 1937.

Characteristics
Of small dimensions, it features an elliptical floor plan. Its sacristy and the so-called "Atrium of Faith," where the famous cannonball is located, are surprisingly spacious. The church also has 2 boxes, 6 balconies, and a large assembly room where the brotherhood gathers, in addition to a secretary's office and the administrator's room.

During the 19th-century remodeling, the entrance was altered to feature a galilee with three arches closed by iron grilles, and a bell tower was erected at the center. The floor is covered with marble mosaic and colorful hydraulic tiles. At the same time, the main chapel was significantly expanded. During this renovation, a large circular lioz medallion representing the coronation of the Virgin Mary was discovered buried behind the church. It is believed that this medallion was originally intended for the Church of the Third Order of St. Francis of Penance, the owner of the land, but for unknown reasons, it was not used. The piece was recovered and affixed to the main facade above the choir window.

Two sculptures in the round of saints, also made of lioz stone and crafted in Portugal, were placed in niches to adorn the facade. Two other sculptures were placed at the ends, representing St. John of Matha, Saint Adrian, St. Bernard, and St. Felix. A fifth sculpture, depicting Our Lady of Faith, was placed in the tower and is now located in the sacristy.

In the vibrant and colorful interior decoration, following the taste of the commercial class and featuring late Rococo style, the wooden carving, created by Antônio de Pádua e Castro, blends with the stucco work executed by Antônio Alves Meira. The latter came from a family of plasterers, and his brother had worked on the interior of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Candelária.

A colorful stained glass window is suspended from a large glass and iron skylight, which was one of the largest in the city at the time of its installation. The stained glass window features the emblem of the Brotherhood of the Merchants, who own the temple. From the center of the stained glass window, a chain descends with an immense lantern measuring 1.40 meters in height, illuminating the entire Atrium. The Atrium also features a rounded wooden staircase and a marble mosaic floor.

Its carillon consists of a set of twelve bells cast in Lisbon and had Luís Augusto da Silva as its bell ringer for over thirty years. Today, the bells are automated and chime every hour.

Its scenic lighting has been awarded and continues to capture the attention of passersby. The niches with the saints are illuminated at night, as well as the lantern, dome, and bell tower.

The temple has a seating capacity for 125 people.

Hours and Visitation
The Brotherhood is active and holds Solemn Masses sung in Latin, following the rite of Saint Paul VI (novus ordo), every Saturday and Sunday at 12:00. These celebrations are open to the general public and are always accompanied by a choir and a grand orchestra.

Traditionally, the church also holds the Mass of Our Lady of Grace on the 27th of each month, always at 10 in the morning. The Holy Mother has a small chapel within the nave, inaugurated by the brotherhood in the early 20th century. The event usually draws a large crowd and concludes with the gathering of the faithful in the Atrium of Faith to burn the written requests to the Saint made during the month, in a dedicated urn.

The temple is open daily for tourist visits, from 9 am to 6 pm during the weekdays and until 4 pm on weekends.

The feast of the Patroness of Merchants is celebrated on September 8th every year, with a festival organized by the brotherhood.

Links
Virtual tour inside the church