Parish of Our Lady of Nazareth (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia)
| Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Nazaré | |
 | |
| Dedication: | Our Lady of Nazareth |
| Venerated Saints: | None specified |
| Diocese: | Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |
| Deanery: | |
| Address: | Rua do Baluarte, s/n, Bonfim, Salvador, BA 40415-295 |
| Coordinates: | -12.9361, -38.4667 |
| City: | Salvador, BA |
| Subdivision: | Bahia |
| Country: | Brazil |
| County: | |
| Website: | No website specified |
| Founded: | 1700s |
| School: | Yes |
| Email: | |
Paróquia Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Parish of Our Lady of Nazareth) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, located in the Bonfim neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, near the Basilica of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title "Nossa Senhora de Nazaré" (Our Lady of Nazareth)—evoking Mary's life with Jesus and Saint Joseph in Nazareth, and linked to the Portuguese Círio de Nazaré tradition of procession and promise—the parish church is a historic colonial structure.
The church dates to the eighteenth century, part of the religious landscape on the Itapagipe Peninsula. It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN. As of December 15, 2025, the parish continues to serve the local community with regular liturgies and devotions, including celebrations associated with the Nazaré title.
The invocation "de Nazaré" highlights Mary's hidden life and maternal protection, with strong ties to Portuguese devotional practices.
History
The church of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré in Bonfim traces its origins to the eighteenth century, emerging during the colonial period's expansion of Marian devotions in Salvador. Exact dates of construction and canonical erection as a parish cannot be confirmed from publicly available sources, though it is recognized as a historic parish near the famous Basilica of Bonfim.
Protected as national heritage by IPHAN, the church has been preserved through restorations.
Special features
- Patronal devotion to Our Lady of Nazareth, often associated with processions and promises
- Proximity to the Basilica of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, facilitating participation in major Bahian religious events
Relics
According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.
Architecture
The church exemplifies eighteenth-century colonial architecture typical of Salvador's historic parishes, with features suited to local devotional practices.
It is protected as national heritage by IPHAN.
Art and devotional features
The interior includes colonial imagery centered on Our Lady of Nazareth, typically portraying Mary with the Child Jesus and Saint Joseph, evoking the Holy Family in Nazareth.
Specific details on particular artworks or sculptures are limited in publicly available sources.