Churches in India
Saint Francis’ Church inside Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin) is one of the first European churches built in India. The Portuguese traders who built Fort Kochi in 1503 took the same route used by the legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the first man to reach India by sea, to reach India in 1498.
Saint Francis’ Church was built over an earlier wooden church dedicated St. Bartholomew. The Portuguese Viceroy, Dom Francisco Almedia was granted permission by the Raja of Cochin for permission to rebuild the wooden church and dedicate it to Saint Anthony between 1510 and 1516. Go to the Saint Francis Church Page.
The Churches and Convents at Velha (Old) Goa owe their existence to the Portuguese rule in this part of the western coast of India.
The most comprehensive group of churches and cathedrals built during 16th to 17th century AD at Old Goa comprise of the following:
Se' Cathedral, Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus; Church of Lady of Rosary; Church of St. Augustine.
The church of St. John's in the wilderness lies on a motorable road between McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj 8 kms from Lower Dharamshala. It has a monument of Lord Elgin, one of the Viceroys of India, who died in Dharamshala and was buried here in 1863.
Built in 1812, this church has levered doors, which when opened, turns the church into an airy pavilion. Its excellent setting and marvellous architecture, makes it a site worth visiting. It is in the heart of the Trichy city, surrounded by commercial markets.
