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 Goa's Church of St. Francis of Assisi - Within
the compound of the Collegio de Sao Paulo, west of Se Cathedral,
the well-maintained building that dazzles the eye is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa. The construction of this
church dates back to 1520 or even before. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa is considered to the best preserved
churches in Goa. The church was remodeled in 1663 and reconstructed
a second time in 1884.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa is a brilliant mix
of Baroque, Corinthian, Iberian and Manueline architectural
features and is one of its kind in Goa. It is made up of lime
plastered laterite and its façade is flanked with octagonal
towers on either side. The statue of Our Lady of Miracles
brought from Jaffna in Sri Lanka graces a niche in the façade.
The interior of the Church is Baroque with distinct Corinthian
elements. The inner walls are embellished with exquisitely
done floral frescoes. The wooden pulpit is similarly adorned.
The church contains a bell tower and a sacristy towards the
north of the chief altar dedicated to St. Francis. On the
altar stands the statue of Christ on the Cross. Underneath
are mentioned the three vows of sainthood - poverty, humility
and obedience. Wooden panels depicting scenes from the life
of St. Francis add to the ornamentations round the altar.
Beneath the main altar is a tabernacle supported by four evangelists.
This tabernacle was initially used to exhibit the holy sacrament.
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