Church of St. Francis of Assisi

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1661 by the Portuguese in the Portuguese Viceroyalty of India.

The three tier facade have octagonal towers on each side and in the central niche there is a statue of St. Michael. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and rosette band. The central nave is barrel-vaulted while the crossing is rib-vaulted which supports the choir. The internal buttress walls, separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top, have frescoes showing floral designs. Above the tabernacle in the main altar is a large statue of St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus on the cross, statues of St. Peter and St. Paul are seen below. The adjoining walls of nave retain painted panels depicting scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi.

The original church began as a small chapel, which was modified to a church in 1521 and consecrated in 1602. That building was replaced by the current structure, erected in 1661. The present-day church is a mixture of styles. Its exterior decoration is in the simple Tuscan order, but its interior—especially the main altar—is richly Baroque with Corinthian features. The three-tier exterior facade has two distinct octagonal towers, one on each side, and a small niche that houses a statue of Mary. The church’s interior includes a richly ornamental niche with a tabernacle supported by the Four Evangelists on the main altar. Above the tabernacle are two large statues, one of St. Francis of Assisi and the other of the crucified Christ. The church’s gilded interior is decorated with paintings of events in the life of St. Francis, carved woodwork, additional statues, and frescos with intricate floral designs.

The convent, contiguous to the church, now houses a museum that was set up by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1964. The museum contains artifacts, paintings, and sculptures that testify to Goa’s rich and vibrant history.

Tags: Church, St. Francis, Goa, Portuguese, Towers, Pilasters, Statues, Museum, Archaeological, Sculptures, Structure