Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Baroque church in Campina, Belém, Brazil.
The Church of Our Lady of Mercy stands on Praça Visconde do Rio Branco, known as Praça das Mercês, and forms part of the architectural complex of the Mercedarian Convent. The present building was rebuilt in stone masonry from 1748, with a design by Italian architect Antônio José Landi in a primitive baroque style; it was consecrated in 1763. The church is a national monument (IPHAN ID 388).
Two Mercedarian friars, Frei Pedro de La Rua Cirne and Frei João da Mercês, began the church and convent in 1640 in taipa after returning with Pedro Teixeira's expedition. The stone building was rebuilt from 1748 to a design by Italian architect Antônio José Landi and consecrated in 1763. The Mercedarians were expelled in 1777, and in 1835 Cabanagem rebels attacked the military arsenal in the former convent, where 800 were killed, including the twenty-year-old leader Antônio Vinagre. Reopened for worship in 1913, the church was listed as a national monument in 1986 and returned to the Mercedarians in 2004.
The church belongs to the Mercedarian order, founded for the redemption of captives, and its name refers to Our Lady of Mercy. The complex served as a customs house, militia barracks, military arsenal and post office after the monks were expelled. In 2004 the Mercedarians returned to care for the church.
The church stands on Praça Visconde do Rio Branco, known as Praça das Mercês, in central Belém, within the former Mercedarian convent complex. The church itself survived the 1978 fire that damaged the convent wing, so the nave and its Landi-designed interior are what remain to be seen. It is an active parish of the Belém do Pará archdiocese, so visits fit around Mass times.
The church is a national monument, listed under ID 388. The adjoining convent building, not the church itself, was largely destroyed by a fire on 19 October 1978; the parish priest Francisco Bugliotta and local residents carried out images and objects, and some pieces were damaged or stolen in the confusion. In 2004 the church was returned to the care of the Mercedarian order.
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