THE Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Village of Ponta Negra: A Long History.

A Long History.

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the historical relationship between the Parish of Saint John the Baptist and the formation of Ponta Negra Village, in Natal/RN, between the 16th and 20th centuries, highlighting the role of the church in the social, cultural, and identity construction of the community, with emphasis on the presence of Black populations and processes of territorial expropriation. The study is justified by the need to value local history and to give visibility to subjects historically marginalized by traditional historiography, especially in light of the urban and touristic transformations that affected the village. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative approach, based on the analysis of documentary, bibliographic, iconographic sources and oral testimonies, articulated through the perspectives of local history and microhistory. The results indicate that the church performed multiple functions over time, acting not only as a religious space but also as a center of social interaction, conflict mediation, and symbolic reference for the inhabitants, particularly during periods of expropriation and social marginalization. Furthermore, the findings point to a significant Black presence in the formation of the village, whose memory was gradually erased by urban expansion and real estate speculation. It is concluded that the histories of Ponta Negra Village and the Parish of Saint John the Baptist are deeply interconnected, making it essential to recognize the local population as active historical agents and to recover their memories as a form of resistance against historical and identity erasure.