Heranças da Fé: Igreja Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, a primeira Catedral do Brasil

The Church of Our Lady of Help in Salvador, Brazil, served as the country's first cathedral and the first church built by Jesuits in the nation. According to the Diocese of São Salvador da Bahia, the temple was constructed in 1549 following the arrival of the first governor-general, Thomé de Souza.

The Jesuits built a simple chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Help under the direction of Father Manuel da Nóbrega, the superior of the Society of Jesus in Brazil. Because the original structure was made of wattle and daub with a thatched roof, it became known as the Sé de Palha. The church initially supported Jesuit missionary work, including preaching and the catechesis of indigenous peoples.

The temple became the seat of the first diocese in Brazil after the Diocese of São Salvador da Bahia was created on February 25, 1551, through the papal bull Super specula mili. The church was the first religious building constructed within the city walls of São Salvador.