CHRONICLES OF GOAN CHURCHES
The Church at Betalbatim is dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies and the parish celebrates the feast of the patroness on the third Sunday in January, which this year falls on January 18.
THE ORIGIN
The church was constructed by the Jesuits in 1630 with the financial help of the Communidades of Betalbatim and Gonsua. It was raised to the rank of a parish by the order of the Administrator, the Archbishop of Cochin dated April 24, 1635. The Jesuits probably had a residence at Fonddo vaddo in the village. The first Jesuit parish priest was Fr Antonio Luis (1681) and the last was Fr Bernardo Garcia (1759).
Jesuit priests from other churches would also come to celebrate Mass here. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, the Goa diocese took over the care of the parish. The church was reconstructed in 1807.
THE CHURCH
The church architecture is a blend of Baroque and Neo-Classical architectural styles. It has elaborate façade domes with painted shells and trims. On the façade of the church, right above is the cross and below it encased is the statue of the patron. On the second segment of the church outside are statues on either side.
The church has high ceilings, exclusive carved wooden furniture, elegant stained-glass windows and a gorgeous pipe organ. Its interior is adorned with intricate carvings and religious artwork, which creates a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. On the beautiful wooden pulpit are carved the images of the four evangelists.
It had earlier stone tiles; these were replaced by granite tiles in 2004, by the then parish priest. Fr Wilfred de Piedade Andrade repaired the church and also the parochial house. The cemetery was enlarged in 1929 and the land for it was given by the Antao family. It was repaired again in 2016 and 2017 with the financial assistance from the parishioners. The work was initiated by the parish priest, Fr Pascoal Afonso. In front of the church is a huge cross mounted on a pedestal and around it are the 15 crosses.
THE ALTARS
The church has 7 altars, the middle altar is dedicated to the patroness, Our Lady of Remedies, the altar to its right to St Bartholomew, to the left is to St Ignatius. Down the aisle are four altars, the altar to the right is dedicated to St Francis Xavier and below it to St Judas Tadeus; the altar to the left is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, below it was earlier dedicated to St Philomena, but now it has been replaced by the statue of the Crucified Christ. There is also an altar which has the image of the Child Jesus, which was donated by Fr Filomena Antao.
THE CHAPELS
The chapels that come under its jurisdiction are: Our Lady of Piety chapel (Nagvaddo), Our Lady of Lourdes (Tond vaddo), chapel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Ran vaddo), Christ the King chapel (Gonsua vaddo) and St Sebastian chapel (Pokvaddo).
