6 OLDEST CHURCHES IN VASAI

INTRODUCTION:-

Vasai previously known as Bassein is a historical place and developing city located in Palghar District. Surrounded by greenery and beaches, Vasai has been attracted many tourist in the coming years. Vasai is also known as mini-Goa. Just like Goa, Vasai is also known for its beaches and churches. Vasai is all about Christian community having their majority here.

Churches here build up centuries ago, stand as very important architectural attraction of Vasai. Some build by the Britishers still stand tall, while others build by the locals.

Let’s list some oldest churches in Vasai:-

1. ST. THOMAS CHURCH, SANDOR, VASAI.

St. Thomas Church, Sandor was the first parish to be founded in the South Bassein, now Vasai. Rev. late Msgr. Philip Tavares, the then parish priest was the one who started the Church at Sandor back in 1971. The Church is a part of St. Vincent De Paul society, at Pars in France which is an international organization of Roman Catholic and its main function is to help the poor and less fortunate.

2. OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHEDRAL,PAPDY, VASAI

After St. Thomas Church, Sandor, Our Lady of Grace Cathedral Church was founded in Vasai. The Church was taken care of by the Jesuits until the Marathas invaded in 1789. Unlike other churches in Vasai, this church was not destroyed by the Marathas.

The Vicar of Palle forced the Jesuits to leave, and took over. It later in 1839 that the church got its own Vicar. The church now is a Cathedral in the diocese of Vasai.

3. ST. MICHAEL CHURCH, MANICKPUR, VASAI WEST

Manikpur is a small village in Vasai has a special patronage from one of the Archangels of Heaven, St. Michael.

St. Michael church was built in the Fifteenth century.

Previously, people from Manikpur used to go to Sandor for celebrating the Holy Eucharistic but since it was far, Alexeo Menezes, Archbishop of Goa bifurcated the parishes of Manikpur and Sandor.

The priests in Manikpur are from the ‘Jesuits’ congregation. Portuguese lady Dona Ines Francisca donated land to the Jesuits, which was sold by them. Later another Portuguese lady named Dona Philipa De Fonseca brought the land and donated again to the Jesuits in the will. Rev. Fr. Adrian D’silva started the building of the church which was finally completed by Rev. Fr. Manuel D’costa.

When the Madathas came to Vasai, they destroyed churches on their way, and Manikpur church was one among those churches. But it was later rebuilt in the year 1851 by Rev. Fr. E.R. Hull. The church was handed over the Jesuits by the Diocesan priests in the year 1949, almost after 200 years.

Manikpur church plays a special role in the lives of ‘purkars’ who are it’s parishners.

4. OUR LADY OF REMEDIES CHURCH, REMEDY, VASAI

Our lady of Remedies is one of the oldest church build during the Portuguese era. The church is mainly dedicated to Mother Mary. Over the years people have experienced healing touch of Blessed Mother Mary through prayers and Novena.

In the month of June every year there is Novena organized at the Church and it is believed that one who prayers to Mother Mary with faith their prayers get answered. Many people have experienced miracles after praying to Mother Mary.

5. HOLY CROSS CHURCH, NIRMAL, VASAI

One of the oldest church all over Maharashtra is the Nirmal Church which was built by the Portugese in the year 1557. It was destroyed in the year 1739 after the Marathas took over the Arnala Fort. Then the church services were moved to Mote Talao. Christians from Gaas, Bhuigaon, Nirmal visited this church to offer all religious rites.

This church is nearby 150 years old

6. HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, NANDAKHAL, VASAI

The only church dedicated to the Holy Spirit in Vasai Diocese is the Holy Spirit Church built in Nandakhal. This church was built in 1573 by Portuguese Missionaries.

Earlier people use to go to Nirmal church for prayer services, thus, by recognizing the spiritual need of the people, the Franciscan Missionaries set up a grand church for the people in the year 1573.Holy Spirit church is the ‘mother of church’. First Umrale, then Nanbhat, Bolinj, Virar East, Virar West centers got separated from the parish. Later Rajodi also got separated. Today the population of Nadakhal is over seven thousand yet the response of the people in the prayer services is amazing.

During the Marathas demolishing churches in Vasai, Nandakhal church was safe from the attack.