This magnificent and grandiose Temple of God, welcoming all visitors across the globe into “Queen of the Goa Beaches”, has withstood all the vagaries of nature, and on the contrary, has grown from strength to strength into a COMMUNITY of believing, praying, sharing and caring people of God.
The feast of St Alex Church, Calangute, was first celebrated in 1576 in a small chapel built of palm leaves (mol’lam vo chutt’ttam), situated along the sea-shore, what we call today as Poriat. It was attached to the Church of Nagoa, which is incidentally the first Church in Bardez Taluka.
However, in 1595, seeing the growth of Christian population by the sea-side, Ecclesiastical authorites granted permission to elevate this chapel into a separate Parish of Calangute, and then a new Church was built with a cemetery attached to it. Even today, in Poriat, stands a cross, venerated by all villagers, a remembrance of the Church and cemetery in the late sixteen century.
By the year 1720, there were about 4000 Catholics and a need was felt for a new church, since the previous one was too small and insufficient. The existing Church was built in 1741, by the ‘Comunidde of Calangute’ (village community) with the help of donations. Subsequently the two towers were erected in 1765. The Church, run by the Franciscans was entrusted to the Diocesan Clergy in the year 1767.
The Church was built in Baroque style but only the Pulpit, which was in the College of St Bonaventure in Old Goa, is of Rococo Style. This pulpit was brought to Calangute in 1838. The magnificent dome, like that of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, attracts a number of tourists, to see this temple of God. The church has seven altars, three main ones, being at the centre and two each on sides. One of the main altars is dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, whose feast we celebrate today with religious fervour and devotion.
The Parish of Calangute has a tradition of living and witnessing of their faith for over 400 years. Incidentally, the Year 2016 marks the completion of 440 years of the existence of faith in this village. To mark this occasion, a mission preached by Redemptorist Fathers was organised for 10 days and attended by people of different faiths. “Open the Door of your heart to God’s Mercy” was the theme of the Mission. Together with the Universal Church, Parish of Calangute observed with immense joy the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis.
Although with the influx of thousand of migrants, the people of the village face many challenging situations, they try to find answers through mutual co-operation and collaboration. Our dream to make this beautiful village into “a land flowing with milk and honey” may seem a distance reality, yet we have strong hope that it will be achieved one day.
People of all faiths living or visiting the beautiful and picturesque village experience communal harmony and togetherness. Although rapid progress and development have taken place in these last few years, yet people have come together to give witness to their faith. The feast of St Alex gives ample proof to this fact. May all Kalangutkars be of one mind and heart and work to bring total transformation in the village.
– Fr. Cipriano da Silva
Parish Priest
