The church of Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat, located in the current Largo de Pinheiros, has its history linked to the most remote origins of the city of São Paulo. In 1560, with the arrival of the Portuguese, the Tupi Indians abandoned the central nucleus and, guided by the Jesuits, founded the villages of São Miguel, Itaquaquecetuba and Nossa Senhora dos Pinheiros. In this last village, a chapel was built by the priests, having as patron saint Nossa Senhora dos Pinheiros. The Society of Jesus preached the teachings of Christian doctrine there, in addition to saying masses and conducting baptisms. Over time, the hermitage became an important center of worship, not only for the population of the village, but also for residents of the surrounding area.
The church of Nossa Senhora de Monte Serrat is thus more important for its history than for the building where it is currently located. Known as “the church of Largo de Pinheiros”, it dates back to the foundation of the village of Pinheiros, in the 16th century. Preserving the temple and not allowing its fate to be the same as those that preceded it means not only preserving an architectural complex, but the very origins of one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.