About Church of Our Lady of Glory
The Church of Our Lady of Glory is a historic Roman Catholic parish church located in Varca, South Goa. Originally founded by Jesuits in 1635, the present structure was rebuilt in 1700 after the earlier chapel was destroyed by fire. The church features a blend of Indian and Portuguese architectural styles with a single nave, false transept, tile roof, and twin towers topped by domes. It houses the venerated 'Ojeapanchi Imaz' statue of Christ and serves as an active parish with significant cultural heritage.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect to see an 18th-century church building featuring Indo-Portuguese architecture with semicircular niches, polygonal lintel windows, and twin towers with domes and skylights. The interior contains simple altars dedicated to Our Lady of Glory, St. Michael, St. Anne, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, along with the historic 'Ojeapanchi Imaz' statue of Christ. The northern tower houses a rare two-storey gallery from the 19th or 20th century. Visitors may attend Mass services or view the gilded interiors during designated visiting hours between religious services.
Key highlights
- 01
Founded by Jesuits in 1635 and rebuilt in 1700 after fire destruction
- 02
Indo-Portuguese architectural blend with single nave and false transept
- 03
Twin towers topped by domes and skylights with rare two-storey gallery in north tower
- 04
Houses the venerated 'Ojeapanchi Imaz' statue of Christ associated with local legends
- 05
Main altar bears Greek letters IHS symbolizing Jesuit construction
- 06
Feast celebrated on second Sunday of November annually
- 07
Active parish serving approximately 6,600 Catholics in the area
History of Church of Our Lady of Glory
The original chapel was constructed by Jesuits in 1635 with mud walls and thatched roof, elevated to parish status on May 28, 1635. After destruction by fire, the current church was built in 1700 through community effort where each villager contributed earth and stones for the foundation. The church represents over 300 years of continuous Christian worship in the region and showcases the transition from early Jesuit missionary architecture to mature Indo-Portuguese ecclesiastical design.
Culture & Context
The church serves as the spiritual center for approximately 6,600 Catholics in Varca parish and hosts the annual feast on the second Sunday of November. It houses the 'Ojeapanchi Imaz' (Body of Christ) statue, venerated on Good Friday and November 27, which is associated with local legends of miraculous discovery. The church embodies the syncretic Goan Christian culture blending Portuguese religious traditions with local community participation, evidenced by the communal construction efforts and continued Konkani-language Mass services.