Captured by : pg 4- go here
Located in Aldona, St. Thomas Church is one of the oldest and most revered churches in Goa. Aldona is the 7th parish established by Franciscans in Bardez. The church was initially built by the Dranciscans in Coimavaddo in 1659. It was rebuilt in 1596 as a larger infrastructure was needed. Built on a high plateau on the banks of the Mapusa river. The interiors are said to have magnificient murals depicting scenes from the Bible.
According to legend, one night a bunch of thieves crossed the river into Aldona to rob the St. Thomas Church. At the base of the hill, a young boy appeared to the group leader and warned them not to proceed. The thieves ignored the boy and entered the church. As they forced open a chest of valuables, the church bells began to ring. Some of the thieves drowned in the river trying to escape. The leader and some others were captured. When the leader was taken past the main altar, he identified the statue of St. Thomas as the boy he had seen earlier who warned him not to rob the Church.
At a distance of 16km from Panaji and 9km from Mapusa, St. Thomas Church is located in Aldona, Bardez.
