Portuguese Church (Mumbai)

Portuguese Church
Church of Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar

Portuguese Church
19°1′6″N 72°50′11″E / 19.01833°N 72.83639°E / 19.01833; 72.83639Coordinates: 19°1′6″N 72°50′11″E / 19.01833°N 72.83639°E / 19.01833; 72.83639
Location Dadar, Mumbai
Country India
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website http://salvacaochurch.tripod.com
History
Founded 1596
Architecture
Status Parish Church
Functional status Active
Architect(s) Charles Correa
Groundbreaking 2 February 1973
Administration
Archdiocese Archdiosese of Bombay
Clergy
Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias
Priest in charge Fr. Felix D'Souza

The Church of Our Lady of Salvation, popularly referred to as Portuguese Church, is one of the oldest churches in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. Located in Dadar, it was originally built in 1596 by the Portuguese Franciscans who called it Nossa Senhora da Salvação.[1] The present structure, designed by famous Indian architect Charles Correa, was constructed between 1974 and 1977.

History

In the sixteenth century, Dadar was known as lower Mahim and was part of the island of Mahim. The church, built in 1596, was rebuilt in 1651 and again in 1914. The present church, therefore, is the fourth on the original site although repairs and additions were often made.

The Portuguese Franciscans carried on as Vicars of Salvacao until 1720 when they had to quit Mahim and Mumbai. The restoration of the old church and the addition of a broad porch and terrace was undertaken in 1935, when the parochial hall was built and considered to be adequate to the needs of the parish. In 1940 however funds became available and the presbytery was built and provision made for a new church building. The church complex was divided into two halves to enable the construction of Gokhale Road following which, the wadis and coconut groves of Dadar were soon replaced by buildings. Catholics along with others from outside moved into the parish and accounted for two-fifths of the parish population. A much larger church, therefore, became necessary. The foundation stone for the brand new modern church on the site of the old church was laid in 1973. Mr. Charles Correia, the well known architect, designed the new building to liturgical specification supplied by Bishop Simon Pimenta.[2]

Daughter Parishes

With the population of Catholics increasing in the 20th century, five parishes were carved out of the Church.

Architecture

Architecturally, the concept is one of quiet reflection and meditation. The large covered space of the baptistery, the main congregational space, the sacristy and the oratory are inter connected so that the covered seating and standing accommodation of the church is well over a thousand persons. All these areas open out to the gardens and courtyard that act as overflow space for still larger congregations. The Grottos, Stations of the Cross and various other shrines will be located in the courtyard.

Unlike the early Christian churches, the general trend in church design was one in which the various elements – confessional, baptismal font, pulpit, a main altar and side altars – were congregated in one generalized space The design for the new church was a return to original principles of church construction. The entrance courtyard served as a transition from the street outside to the main congregational space. The confessional and the baptismal font are located on the left of the courtyard in the baptistery. The pulpit and the lectern, the area of enlightenment and instruction, is in the center of the main congregational space. Beyond this congregational space is the sanctuary, the area of sacrifice, of meeting with God. The oratory is to the right of the courtyard and connecting directly to the main congregational space. The sacristy is located adjacent to the main congregational space and the oratory. The rectory which connects to the sacristy is located to the south end of the site, with its own independent road entrance. On the lower level are located the parish offices and meeting rooms and on the upper level the living accommodation for the priests. The graveyard is on the northwest corner of the site.[3]

The Heritage Cross

The Cross was built in the 19th century, constructed in the late Baroque Portuguese style. A Portuguese inscription at its base reads, Fabricada por Jacinta Barretto de Vadalla, A. D. 1885. It was erected inside the church compound, however, when the church ceded land to the Municipality for road broadening, the Cross ended up outside the walls of the Church.

References

  1. ↑ Greater Bombay District Gazetteer (Portuguese Period)
  2. ↑ "History of Portuguese Church". Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Architecture of Portuguese Church". Retrieved 29 March 2012.
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