Churches
in Goa
Church
of Mary Immaculate Conception
The
church was one of the first to be built in Goa, certainly being there by
1541.
The early church was completely re-built from its
foundations in 1619 and this was even considered, taking accountof the still
negligible population of the area and the size of the new church, is a
striking commentary on the religious climateof the time and the wealth
available to the churches.
The interior of the church is relatively
simple by the standards of the time although the backdrop to the main altar,
dedicated to Mary Immaculate, is impressive enough.
However, it is
the two flanking altars that catch the eye, that on the left dedicated to
Jesus Crucified and that on the right to Our Lady of the Rosary.
Each
is a riot of heavily gilded, deeply carved ornamentation, yet compact and
controlled, a fine example of the period. At the side of each is a marble
statue, one of St Peter and one of St Paul.
In the south transept
to the right of the main altar is a Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, whose
glass-encased statue occupies the centre of the reredos. 
Goa
City Guide
