in the central district of rio de janeiro the catedral presbiteriana is one of the only examples of neo-gothic architecture to be found in the city. the building came into being with the arrival of the Presbyterian faith to brazil, brought by united states national reverend ashbel green simonton.

the reverend first started holding services on the 2nd floor of a building in centro - as the religion grew, it constantly sought to move to a better, more appropriate place of worship.