Churches of Goa

Churches in Goa, across the Goan countryside, the white washed facade of the village churches in Goa is a well-known landmark amidst the greenery of coconut plantations and paddy fields. The Churches in Goar have magnificent edifices and are largely a legacy of 450 years of Portuguese colonization.

Most of these churches in Goa were built by European monastic orders, such as the Theatines Church in Goa, Augustines Church in Goa, Franciscans  and Jesuits Church in Goa, in the Renaissance, Baroque, Iberian and the lesser-known Manueline architectural styles.

Both in inspiration and design, churches in Goa are the spiritual centers of the village or town they stand in and play an important role in Goa, Social, cultural and religious life. Most if the Churches in Goa are centuries old, but still function even today. Many of these churches are also protected heritage sites and house exquisite works of Christian art in Goa.

Every church in Goa celebrates a feast dedicated to its patron saint once a year. These village feasts are celebrated by colorfully dressed villagers with a festive mass in church, a procession of the saint, music by the village band and foot that is an epicureans delight in Goa.

The most famous churches in Goa are at Old Goa church, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site near Panaji. It has the Se Cathedral convent of Santa Monica and the Bom Jesus Basilica, which houses the holy relics of St Francis Xavier, the Patron saint of Goa. Other well-known churches in Goa are the mary immaculate Conception Church (Panaji), the St Ana Church (Talaulim), Church of Our Lady of Miracles (Mapusa), Goa and Mae de Deus Church (Saligao).

	Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim
	Complete with tiny electric bulbs, the entire Church is lit up in the eeriness of the night The locals celebrate the Feast of Our Lady Of Fatima which is usually celebrated at the end of May(acc. to the Church calendar). The reason being that a beautiful image of Our Lady Of Fatima is placed on the

	Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa
	Visitors from India and overseas flock to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, built in 1605, and now declared a World Heritage Monument. The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa, who died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. The following year, w

	Reis Magos Church
	Also known as Church of the Three Magi Kings, built in AD 1555, was once a mission center of the Franciscan Order of Monks. One of the first of its kind in Bardez taluka, this it is dedictated to the 3 magi kings-Gasper, Baltazar and Melchior.The feast day is celebrated on Jan 6th at the Reis Magos

	Se Cathedral
	The Se Cathedral nearby is dedicated to St. Catherine, as it was on her feast day, 25th November 1510 that Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa. Believers are awe-struck to hear of the Cross of Miracles, which is placed in the cathedral, its earlier church having been destroyed. People have had a vi

	Church of St Francis of Assisi
	Just like Se Cathedral, facing west stands Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi built in 1521. The church joins Se Cathedral at the convent. The church and convent were built by Franciscan friars, the first group that came to Goa in 1517. Back then it was a chapel.

	Church of St. Francis Xavier
	Behind the gate of St. Paul's college is a Kuchcha road branching off the main road, leading to the chapel of St. Francis Xavier. It is built of laterite plastered with lime mortar; with tiled roof supported by wooden rafters is a plain chapel with only one altar.

	Church of St Paul
	By the year 1827 the College and the Church were already in a pretty devastated state. This was finally completely demolished in 1829 by the Government except for the façade and the material was taken to Panjim to be utilized for new constructions

	Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount
	On a hill, to the East of Old City of Goa, commanding a picturesque view of the City of Goa and its surrounding villages, there stands a chapel of Our Lady of the Mount, so called because it stands on a Mount and thus was called Capela da Nossa Senhora do Monte.

	Church of the Carmelites
	Nothing remains of the Church of the Carmelites excepting the façade and a raised pavement, which served as an altar

	Chapel of St. Catherine
	The road leads to a hill on which, commanding a picturesque view, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount. A series of steps leads to the Chapel, which is built of laterite plastered with lime mortar

	Church Of St. Monica
	In the Holy Hill, on the way to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, is a huge three-storied building of laterite which was originally lime-plastered but is now plastered with cement.

	Royal Chapel Of St. Anthony
	To the west of St. Augustine Church is the Royal Chapel of St Anthony dedicated to Portugal saints that was built in the early 16th century. Every year the Chapel received money from the army. In 1835, the church was closed as it was closed down as it was thought of as a useless expense.

	Church Of St. Cajetan
	This church, which is said to have been modeled on the original design of the Basilica of St.Peter in Rome, is architecturally Corinthian both externally and internally while the gilded altars with rich carvings are in rich Baroque style.

	Church Of The Cross Of Miracle
	On the southern outskirts of Old Goa is a hill on which stand this convent and church. Built of laterite, plastered with lime mortar, the plain looking church and the single storied convent with numerous cells are now in ruins.

	Lady Of The Mount
	The road leads to a hill on which, commanding a picturesque view, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount. A series of steps leads to the Chapel, which is built of laterite plastered with lime mortar.

	Reis Magos Church
	The small hamlet of Reis Magos lies on banks of the Mondovi river and is home to two famous landmarks of Goa - the Reis Magos fort and the Reis Magos Church. It is also one of only three places in Goa, where the unique Feast of the Three Wise Men is held.

	Church of Mary Immaculate Conception
	The church was one of the first to be built in Goa, certainly being there by 1541. The early church was completely re-built from its foundations in 1619 and this was even considered, taking accountof the still negligible population of the area and the size of the new church, is a striking commen

	Church of St. Anne
	Of all the churches in Goa, the most ostentious and notable for its excellent architecture is that of St Anne. It was reconstructed by Mons Francisco do Rego with his own funds and with the contributions of some villagers.

	Church of Holy Spirit
	The Church of the Holy sprit was once such building which was first constructed in 1564 by the Jesuit missionaries. It was destroyed following the Muslim invasion of the Salcette in 1571, and construction was begun again only after the area had been firmly secured and funds rose.

	Church Of Mae De Deus
	Its overwhelming beauty is because of its doom shape. The Church is perfect example of Gothic architecture. There are 2 lofty bells inside the Church tower. The unique church houses a miraculous statue of Mae De Deus (Mother of God), which was brought from the convent of Mae De Deus at Old Goa.

	Church of Our Lady Of Rosary
	In Velha Goa or Old Goa, crowning a hill, which was known as the Holy hill, is one of the earliest churches, the Church of Our Lady of Rosary.

	Church of St Augustine
	The Church of St Augustine was constructed by the joint efforts of 12 Augustine Friars after they arrived at Goa on 3rd September 1572 AD. They built the church on the Holy Hill at Old Goa.

	Church of St Alex
	Nine kilometer from Margao, the Church of St. Alex is one of the oldest churches in Goa, built in 1597.

	Church Of St Anne
	The Church of St. Anne, at Talaulin Iltias, affectionately called Santana by the people, is dedicated to the Mother of Mary. It is situated on the right bank of the Siridao River.

	Rachol Seminary
	The Rachol Seminary in South Goa has a chequered past. Originally a Muslim fortress, it was first converted by the Portuguese into a church and later into a prison.

	Church of Nossa Senhora De Monte
	Afonso de Albuquerque ordered this church to be built in 1519 at the vantage point atop the hill from where Adil Shah beat back the Portuguese on May 23, 1510.

	Convent and the Church of the St. John of God
	Positioned to the east of the tower of St. Augustine it is a simple looking building constructed in the commencement of the 18th century.

	Church of Our Lady of Miracles Milagres
	This church is located about 2 Kms east of the main Mapusa bazaar. It was constructed in 1594.It was almost destroyed in a fire set off by the retreating Portuguese forces in 1961 and was renovated soon after.

	Church of Our Lady of the Rock of France
	This church is located at Brittona on the banks of the Mondovi River opposite the capital city of Panaji in Bardez taluka. It was built by grateful seamen who believed that Our Lady has miraculously saved them from the Plague.

	Chapel of St Sebastian
	Built in the 1880s, the Church of St Sebastian is known for its crucifix of Christ, which shows Christ with his eyes open.

	Chapel of St. Jerome
	On the top of the hillocks at Madel, the Chapel of St. Jerome is situated. This Chapel has been constructed on an elevated ground with its entrance towards the South

	Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
	The Church 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel' serves the religious interests of all the Catholics in the area.

	Our Lady of Mercy
	Located in the beach town of Colva, this church was founded in 1630.

	Swiss Chapel
	Located quiet close to the Municipal Building on the Jerome Road, this chapel has a charming cream and blue colored wooden altar and shrine.

	Church Of St Andrew
	This famous church of Goa Velha was originally built in 1583 but was abandoned for fear of its collapse. The present church, named after the Patron St. Andrew, the Apostle, was built in 1868 in a different place at the same village.

	Mae de Deus Church
	Founded in 1588 by the Jesuits, the Church of Majorda was made a parochial church between 1595 and 1646. The church was rebuilt in 1739.

	Nossa Senhora do Amparo Church
	Originally a chapel dependent on the parish of Arossim, the church was built in 1710. It became a parish by the decree issued on 1.2.1717.

	Sao Jeronimo Church
	The Parish Church was founded by the Franciscans in 1594 and dedicated to St. Jerome. It was rebuilt in 1674. The church is popularly known as the Church of Our Lady of Miracles whose feast is celebrated on Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.

	Sgrada Familia Church
	The Parish Church was founded by the Franciscans in 1594 and dedicated to St. Jerome. It was rebuilt in 1674. The church is popularly known as the Church of Our Lady of Miracles whose feast is celebrated on Monday after the Second Sunday of Easter.

	Nossa Senhora da Piedade church
	The foundation of the original Chapel was laid on 8.9.1866 and blessed on 6.2.1868 and erected by provision of 20.7.1870. It was made a military chapel by decree issued on 14.12.1880.

	Espirito Santo Church
	The earliest church in Margao was founded by the Jesuits in 1564. This church was destroyed by fire in 1571. The second built in 1571, was also destroyed eight years later and the third also was short lived.

	The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graca
	Originally a chapel, called the “ Capela de Batalhao�, Chapel of the Battalion. Its construction began on 6.1.1812 and the first Mass was offered there on 3.5.1812.

	Nossa Senhora das Merces Church
	The original chapel was founded before 1600 and it became a parish in 1613, after separation from the parish of Santa Cruz.

	Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceicao Church
	Built around 1619, the church was under Mapusa until 1636 when it became a parish. The front was rebuilt in 1800, the chancel in 1814 and the body of the church in 1832.

	Nossa Senhora dos Milagres Church
	he original chapel was built in 1857 and repaired in 1902 in preparation for its becoming an independent parish on 30.3.1903. Formerly it was affiliated to Arambol parish. The church was rebuilt in 1973 and a new hall was added.

	Sao Francisco Xavier Church
	Originally a chapel was built here, its foundations were laid on 3.12.1908 and blessed on 26.1.1910. It was dependent on the church of Vasco da Gama.

	The Church Of Bom Jesus
	This church founded by the Franciscans was built by the villagers in 1676 and was opened for service on 26.7.1676. The cemetery was enlarged in 1998.

	Santissima Trinidade Church
	The Church of Nagoa was founded in 1560 by the Franciscans. This church came to be called Matriz (Mother) for its jurisdiction extended over five villages of Parra, Anjuna, Assagao, Siolim, Oxel and Saligao which subsequently were raised to the status of independent parishes.

	Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso Church
	At first there was a chapel built at Nagoa in 1755 and it was originally dedicated to Our Lady of Succour.

	Nossa Senhora do Rosario Church
	The Church of Navelim was founded in 1597 by a French Jesuit. It was ransacked in the Maratha incursions of 1717 and 1739.

	Nossa Senhora dos Remedios Church
	The Church of Nerul was founded by the Franciscans in 1569. It was attacked thrice by the Marathas.

	Sao Joao Evangelista Church
	The Church of Neura was built in 1541. First it was under the Jesuits, then a century later under the Augustinians who opened a Seminary in 1622 dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.

	Mae dos Pobros Church
	Originally there was a Chapel at Nuvem dedicated to Jesus, Mary and Joseph in 1695.

	Santa Ana/Santana Church
	Originally a Chapel was erected at Olaulim on 13.7.1752. It was rebuilt in 1917.

	Santa Catarina de Alexandria Church
	The Cathedral of Goa originated from a little chapel dedicated to St. Catherine built in 1510 and enlarged in 1511. A new church was completed in 1531.

	Sao Miguel, Arcanjo Church
	The Church of Orlim was founded by the Jesuits and blessed on 8.5.1568. It was destroyed by fire in1582 and was rebuilt in 1590.

	Nossa Senhora do Mar Church
	Oxel in the beginning belonged to Nagoa, then to Siolim Marna rectorate. The Church and the residence of the parish priest were built in 1661.

	Santo Antonio Church
	Originally there was a Chapel at Panchwadi, erected by provision dated 13.4.1888

	Imaculada Conceicao Church
	Panjim was erected into a parish in 1600. The original chapel founded before 1541 was rebuilt in 1619.

	Nossa Senhora da Penha de Franca Church
	The Church of Our Lady of Penha de Franca was built by the Franciscans in the village of Virlasa in 1626.