Mae De Deus Church

Mae De Deus Church is a historic Catholic church located in Saligao, North Goa, completed in 1873. It is recognized as the finest example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Goa, distinguished by its white façade, pointed spires, and buttresses. The church houses a revered 400-year-old gold-painted wooden statue of the Mother of God brought from the ruins of the Daujim convent in Old Goa. It remains an active parish and a declared heritage structure illuminated at night.

Visitors can view the unique Neo-Gothic exterior with tapering spires and buttresses, and explore the gilded interiors during designated visiting hours. The church contains a main altar with a carved reredos, six side altars, and the historic statue of Mae de Deus at a side altar. The courtyard features a black stone statue of the Mother of God. The structure is illuminated after sunset for external viewing. Access to the interior is restricted outside specific tourist hours to respect mass schedules.

The church was built between 1867 and 1873 using stones from the ruins of the Madre de Deus convent at Daujim and the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory. It was commissioned by the Saligao comunidade after Francisco Salvador Gama Pinto petitioned the Archbishop of Goa. The transfer of the miraculous statue from Daujim required government approval from the King of Portugal due to protests from neighboring parishes. It was raised to parochial status upon inauguration on November 26, 1873.

The church serves as the spiritual center for Saligao's Catholic community of approximately 2,650 parishioners. It maintains historic ties to the extinct Daujim convent through annual pilgrim tours. The annual feast on the first Sunday of May features a nine-day novena, procession, fireworks, and cultural performances organized by village wards. The church has inspired artists including F.N. Souza and photographer Dayanita Singh.