On November 25, 1510, Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque captured Ilhas from the Sultanate of Bijapur and established it as the capital of the Portuguese State of India. Although a few Dominican friars may have accompanied the Portuguese during the conquest, the first significant missionary presence was established by the Franciscans in 1517. They were later joined by the Jesuits, Augustinians, and Carmelites, who established themselves in Goa. These missionary orders not only worked to spread the Christian faith but also sought to assimilate the local population into Portuguese culture.
In 1534, Goa was elevated to the rank of a Diocese, affirming its role as a vital centre of the Church in Asia. In 1557, it was raised further to an Archdiocese, underscoring its growing prominence as the spiritual capital of the Portuguese East. The many churches and monasteries built during this time stand as enduring symbols of the lasting legacy of Portuguese influence.
By the mid-16th century, Old Goa had emerged as the principal centre of evangelisation, and the four districts of Bardez, Mormugao, Salcete, and Tiswadi were the targets of this exercise. In 1555, the Portuguese Viceroy, Pedro Mascarenhas, organised missionary work by dividing territories among the religious orders: Bardez was entrusted to the Franciscans, Tiswadi to the Dominicans, while Salcete and fifteen south-eastern villages of Tiswadi, including Chorão and Divar, were given to the Jesuits.
This article focuses on the churches in Goa dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, who is venerated as the leader of the heavenly hosts and a powerful protector against evil. Scripture offers us glimpses of his mission and character — he is the one who leads God’s armies to victory. The Church venerates him as her defender and as the angel of the Blessed Sacrament.
There are three churches dedicated to St. Michael in Goa. The Dominicans founded the Igreja de São Miguel Arcanjo at Taleigão in 1544. It is among the oldest churches in the serene village of Taleigão and has long played a vital role in shaping the region’s spiritual life.
The church houses seven altars. The main altar is dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Above it, in the central niche, stands the statue of St. Michael the Archangel. Flanking it are two side altars: on the left, an altar dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Rosário, and on the right, an altar of the Crucified Christ. Two more altars follow — one with a panel dedicated to the Holy Souls, and another featuring a statue of Our Lady with the Infant Jesus holding a book, accompanied by a smaller statue of Jesus below.
At the main entrance, to the right, stands an altar dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, flanked by statues of the Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Joseph, and St. Augustine. Further along, midway on the right side, is the altar of Our Lady of Fatima. The church’s frontispiece is adorned with a striking high-relief of the Holy Spirit. Besides the famous four-day harvest festivities, the feast of St. Michael, the patron, is celebrated annually on the Sunday — either on September 29 or on the following Sunday.
In Bardez, the first church dedicated to St. Michael was built by the Franciscans at Anjuna in 1603 during the custodianship of Frei Miguel de S. Boaventura. The first Franciscan parish priest, Frei Pedro de Sta. Maria, erected a larger structure in 1613. A century later, in 1713, this building was replaced by a stronger edifice, which was subsequently extended twice. Over the years, the church has undergone several renovations. In 1888, the walls were repainted, and new window glass and iron grilles were installed. Later, in 1950, Fr. Alfred Araujo repaired the cemetery and introduced benches in the church, while in 1993, Fr. Assis Ferrao tiled the church floor.
The church has two towers. The right-hand tower houses two bells: the larger bears the inscription Oferecido por Constancio Dominos Caetano E.C. Diogenes Mascarenhas de Anjuna, 1882 (Offered by Constancio Dominos Caetano E.C. Diogenes Mascarenhas of Anjuna, 1882), while the smaller reads Refundido Para Egreja de Anjuna, 1891 (Recast for the Anjuna Church, 1891). On the front façade, below the cross, is the portrayal of St. Michael. The feast of the patron is celebrated on the Sunday — either on September 29 or on the following Sunday.
Moving south, the first church dedicated to St. Michael at Orlim was built in 1568 with mud walls and a thatched roof. It was blessed by Archbishop Dom Jorge Temudo (1568–1571), the second Dominican Archbishop. During the Muslim invasion of Salcete, the church was twice set on fire — in 1571 and again in 1579. It was burnt once more in 1582, after which the present church was constructed in 1590.
The church has only one tower housing the bell. On the front façade of the church is the image of the patron. On the middle altar is the image of St. Michael with an arrow in his hand, piercing the devil. To the right is the image of St. Luke and St. John; to the left is the image of St. Matthew and St. Mark. There are two more altars — one to the left portrays a Calvary scene; below it is the image of Our Lady of Piety, St. Francis Xavier, and, below, an image of the Child Jesus. The right altar has the image of Our Lady of Help, and below it is the image of St. Anne. Besides these are the altars of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. When the Jesuits were expelled from Goa by the Portuguese, the diocese took over its administration. The church was handed over to the Dominicans in 2017. The feast is celebrated on the second Sunday of October.
