Church History in a ‘nutshell’

During the year 2010 – 2011, there was a grand centenary celebration of our magnificent edifice, the Milagres Church Building. This was the another celebration after the 325th year of Milagres Church.

The History of the Milagres Church in a ‘nutshell’:

I Church: (Year: 1680) Bishop Thomas de Castro built a chapel on the site of the present cemetery.

II Church (Year: 1756) A new church was built where the present church stands. Fr. Antony Pinto was the Vicar. This church was destroyed by Tippu Sultan during his rule 1782-1799, together with the other 27 churches in D.K..

III Church:(Year 1800) After the release of the Captives, including Rev. Fr. Mendez, a certain Lawrence Bello built a new thatched chapel on the site of the present church at a cost of Rs. 400/- (Fr. Mendez served in this chapel)

IV Church: (Year:1811) In this year the foundation stone was laid for a ‘stronger building’. Enthusiasm was great as the persecution and deportation wounds were fresh in the memory of most of the parishioners. Fr. Mendez was Vicar Vara and Fr. Manuel Cajetan Gomes was the Vicar.

Monica Chapel, the oldest monument in the present church complex which was spared by destruction caused by rain in 1911, was completed in 1887, with the priceless painting of the Baptism of St. Augustine by the world renowned painter, Guadagnini of Italy, a painter celebrity of Bergamo Cathedral.

V Church:(Year 1910-11) Rev. Fr. Frank Pereira was the Vicar and Fr. Diamanti S.J. of Jeppu Seminary was the architect of the present church : The magnificent, breathtaking building, with the arches, ornate pillars, loft, towers, the pulpit, which is removed now, and the canopy on Mother Mary’s statue. The portico was added when Rev.(Mgr.) Albert V. D’Souza (1954-57) was the Vicar.