The formidable yet graceful appearance of the church of StAlex is one of the tourist attractions of Calangute. The two towers andmagnificent dome gracing the façade like that of the St. Peter's Basilica inRome make this 400 year old church unique. In 1996 the church celebrated itsfourth centenary. The church has several ornate altars depicting variousarchitectural styles.
This church is the third one built in the village. The firstchapel, built solely of palm leaves was erected along the sea shore in 1576 andattached to the Church of Nagoa. The Franciscans built another church alongwith the cemetery to replace this chapel which could not sustain the test oftime in 1595. The Gaonkars bore the expense and there is still a cross which isa vestige of the church and cemetery. It is said that until 1940, there was aprocession starting from the actual church to the site of the old church inremembrance, however, even today the feast of the Holy Cross is stillcelebrated in the same place. The Church was demolished for being small.
The existing church was built in 1741 by the Communidadesand the towers were erected several years later in 1765. Its main sanctuary‘capelamor’ was rebuilt on July 16, 1916 and blessed on July 16, 1916. Thechurch was entrusted to the diocesan clergy in the year 1767. The church yardboasts of a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the first of its kind in Goa.
The church has a pulpit which was brought from the church ofHoly Rosary which is known as the church of St Francis of Assisi. The churchhouses seven altars- three main altars in the center and two on either side.They are dedicated to our lady of the Mount, Our lady of Perpetual succor, thesacred heart of Jesus and Mary and the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.One cannot quite miss the architectural magnificence of St Alex Church.
