St. Francis Church

Overview

St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India, originally constructed in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. It is historically renowned as the site where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524 before his remains were later transferred to Lisbon in 1539.

Highlights

• Vasco da Gama's tomb: The original burial site of the famous explorer is marked inside the church, though his remains were moved to Portugal.
• Colonial punkah fans: The church retains its original hand-operated cloth ceiling fans, a rare colonial-era feature.
• Multi-colonial history: The church changed hands from Portuguese to Dutch to British, visible in the diverse architectural elements and tombstone inscriptions.

History

Built as a Catholic church in 1503, it was the first European church in India. After the Dutch takeover in 1663, it became a Reformed Protestant church, and the interior was remodeled. The British converted it to an Anglican church in 1795. Since 1949, it has been under the Church of South India diocese.

Visitor Tips

• Look for: The Dutch and Portuguese tombstones embedded in the floor, some dating to the 1500s.
• Combine with: It's a short walk from the Chinese fishing nets and Santa Cruz Basilica.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.