CHRONICLES OF GOAN CHURCHES
THE ORIGIN
According to a Franciscan historian, Clemente de S. Iria, the first church was constructed in 1603 with the financial help from the Communidade of Anjuna and Assagao, when Frei Migual de S Boaventura (1602-05) was the custodian of the place. The priests were called Pai dos Cristaos, i.e. Bapui Kristanvancho (Father of the Christians literally). The Church was dedicated to Michael, the archangel.
The first Franciscan parish priest was Frei Pedro de Sta. Maria. Since the church building was small, he constructed a bigger structure in 1613. In 1713, it was pulled down and a new and a stronger structure was constructed; the same was extended twice. The last Franciscan parish priest was Frei Jacinto de Jesus Maria (1767).
THE DEVELOPMENTS
In 1888 some renovation was done, like painting of the walls, fixing new glasses and iron grills for the windows. Lt. Col. Joe Orphino da Gama donated the statue of Nossa Senhora de Advogado to the church, which he had brought from Paris and to install it a new altar was constructed. Fr Alfred Araujo (1950) repaired the cemetery and also provided benches in the church. Fr Assis Ferrao put new tiles for the church in 1993. The church was handed over to the Pilar Society on May 31, 1996.
THE CHURCH
The church has two towers, the one to the right has two bells, on the bigger bell we see these words inscribed- Oferecido por Constancio “ Dominos Caetano E. C. Diogenes Mascarenhas de Anjuna, 1882 “ (offered by Constancio Dominos Caetano E C Diogenes de Anjuna 1882) and on the small one “ Refundido Para Egreja De Anjuna, 1891 “ (Refunded to Anjuna Church, 1891). On the front façade of the church, below the Cross is the image of the patron, Michael, the archangel. In front of the church on a pedestal is the monument of Christ the King, which was brought from Italy by Dr Olencio da Gama Pinto.
THE ALTARS
The church has five altars. On the middle altar is the image of St Michael the Archangel, the other altars are dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Advogado, the Crucified Jesus, St Sebastian and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
(The writer is Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa.)
