The History of Christ Church

At the main entrance to the Church in Rua Real Grandeza, there is an inscription on a marble plaque which reads as follows: "In 1819 was erected to the Glory of Almighty God and for celebration of divine service, according to the use of the Church of England, the Church of SS George and John the Baptist, afterwards known as Christ Church, on a site then adjacent: to the Bay of Rio de Janeiro but subsequently to form part of the Rua dos Barbonos, since renamed Rua Evaristo da Veiga, in which the last services were held on 5th December 1943. To provide for the uninterrupted continuance of the ministry connected with the former Church, the erection of this building was commenced on the 6th October 1942 and the ceremony of dedication was performed on 29th October 1944."

At that time, war was raging in Europe and in a general address to the entire British community in Rio in August 1940, H M Ambassador Knox said, "Finance in wartime is the only medium through which the civilian can bear his full share of the burden. This is particularly true as regards the British abroad." The community responded with cash donations, proceeds from the sale of valuables, financing repairs to damaged ships, hospitalising wounded seamen, one-way passages home for volunteers and so on. The original organisations were directed by the Chaplain of Christ Church and the British Consulate, with assistance later on from the Royal British Legion and the British and Commonwealth Society. As in the First World War, many volunteered for active service and once a year, on Remembrance Day, the names of those who lost their lives are read out by the Chaplain during a special service. After the war, the Royal British Legion installed allied flags around the Church. There are presently flags of the UK, Brazil, USA, Canada, Norway, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and three ensigns.

In 1987, the building of Christ Church was declared "tombado" as, architecturally-speaking, it was considered a fine example of yesterday's Rio. It has the status of "imóvel tombado pelo Patrimônio Histórico e Cultural da cidade do Rio de Janeiro". Besides guaranteeing its perpetuity, this gives the Church an important annual discount in public taxes.

Please contact us if you are researching your family history, as we have Baptism, Marriage and Burial records dating back to the early 1800’s.