A ROSARY OF MEMORIES: 1929-1989

In the 1920s, Campinas underwent a diversification of economic and industrial practices, leading the city to a new pattern of urbanization. As of 1925, the urban area expanded considerably, accompanied by population growth, the emergence of new neighborhoods and the valorization of municipal land.

Marked by the growing interests around the use of automobiles, a proposal for urban remodeling for the city arose in the late 1920s. Based on a cadastral plan organized by Mayor Orosimbo Maia in 1929, in 1931 an Urbanism Commission was created by the City Hall. In 1934, architect engineer Francisco Prestes Maia was hired to study an urbanism plan, approved and regulated in 1938.

Among the proposals discussed in the Prestes Maia Urban Improvement Plan were the opening of avenues, the widening of streets and the need for demolition of buildings. One of those that caused great discomfort in sectors of the Campinas society referred to the intention of widening the streets Campos Sales and Francisco Glicério from the side of the Church of the Rosary, causing criticism and indignation regarding the proposal to demolish the church.

The works to widen the central avenues began slowly after 1938 and, until the beginning of the 1950s, changes in the urban landscape were still relatively small. Since 1956, under Mayor Rui Novais, work has been accelerated to widen the streets and demolish old houses in the central region, and until 1965, Campinas was marked by a more radical transformation of the urban landscape, an intensification of renovation and modernization of the center. Among the new buildings constructed were the Palace of Justice (Forum) and the Center for Science, Letters and Arts.

In order to speed up the demolitions indicated by the Urban Improvement Plan, the City Council of Campinas approved in 1951 Law nº 640 that provided for the existing buildings on Francisco Glicério and Campos Sales streets. In January 1956, local newspapers reported the immediate ban on the Church of the Rosary, justified by city hall technicians due to the existence of many cracks observed in an inspection, putting at risk the public that frequented the temple and demanding immediate and quite costly reforms. However, this report was contradicted by other engineers from São Paulo, who showed that the church should be renovated and not demolished.

However, in view of the fact that the 1951 municipal law prohibited or posed difficulties for renovations in Francisco Glicério buildings that involved high costs, in April 1956 the expropriation agreement for the Rosario Church was signed. The executive's project in this regard was voted by the Chamber of Campinas, which approved it by 19 votes against two.

On May 9, 1956, the definitive deed was signed between the City Hall and the Bishopric of Campinas, to effect the expropriation. A few days later, on May 12, to the consternation of various sectors of the population, the demolition of the Rosario Church began, which was completed in September this year.

From the temple collection, some pieces ended up deteriorating due to the lack of correct storage. Others were preserved, kept at the São Vicente Conference House. There are also works removed by private individuals. An example was the doctor from Campinas José de Angelis who, days before the overthrow of the church, asked Mayor Rui Novaes for authorization to "save" some sacred works. It is said that he brought a restorer from Europe to preserve the panels and even extended his residence to house the fragments saved from the demolition.

The old and narrow Rua do Rosário, now Avenida Francisco Glicério, has become a modern, wide avenue, flanked by tall buildings. A vision of technical progress was consolidated, coupled with the appreciation of new aesthetic standards associated with tall buildings, wider streets and avenues that could provide a more free circulation of cars.

The demolition of the old Rosario church led to a countless range of demonstrations. Despite the fact that there was an agreement between Dom Paulo de Tarso Campos (Archdiocese of Campinas), Father João Batista Engler (Claretian Province) and Municipal Mayor Rui Novaes, there was little support from the government in the period of demolition and after it. The Campinas community, however, remained discredited with the act.

With the acceptance of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, the priests started the projects, maintaining the idea of ​​a house that could welcome the missionaries in their evangelization activities and the novitiate, in addition to a new church in the image of the previous one, but more simple and larger in its dimensions, seeking to preserve the feelings of the community.

The cornerstone was laid on October 7, 1956, the feast of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with the strong presence of the community. The funds for the temple were obtained through the efforts of the Claretian priests, in particular the Spanish missionary Damião Ormaeche, who was responsible for the work. On October 28, 1965, the church still under construction was elevated to the category of Parish of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with the first parish priest being Father Artidório Aniceto de Lima, CMF.

The house was ready before the church, in early 1971, the same year the temple was covered, an act that marked the resumption of service and liturgical celebrations. The completion of the temple took place at the end of 1978, with some modifications that distinguished it from the demolished church, especially in the main facade, of which the details of the rose window and the maintenance of the same height for the towers that, according to the parish priest, stand out. at that time, Father Geraldo Jarussi, would be the result of an economy of resources.

On October 7, 1989, the Nossa Senhora do Rosário Church was officially inaugurated, marking a new chapter in this history of faith, art and culture of the people of Campinas.