Portuguese Church (Mumbai)

2021-08-06T05:36:31Z

2405:201:6:E851:D7:5819:5193:AAAD: Updated the names of parish priest and assistant priests

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Portuguese Church
| fullname = Church of Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar <br/> Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Salvação, Salvação
| image = Portuguese_church_dadar_3.jpg
| imagesize =
| landscape =
| caption = Portuguese Church
| coordinates = {{coord|19|1|6|N|72|50|11|E|region:IN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Dadar]], [[Mumbai]]
| country = [[India]]
| denomination = [[Roman Catholic]]
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| website = http://salvationchurch.in/
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| founded date = 1596
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| status = [[Parish Church]]
| functional status = Active
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| architect = [[Charles Correa]]
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| groundbreaking = 2 February 1973
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| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay|Archdiosese of Bombay]]
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| archbishop = Oswald Cardinal Gracias
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| canonpastor =
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| prebendary =
| rector =
| vicar =
| curate =
| priestincharge = Fr. Calistus Fernandes
| priest =
| asstpriest = Fr. Glasten Gonsalves
Fr. Joel Fernandes
Fr. Leslie Almeida
Fr. John Rumao
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| musicgroup = St Joseph's Choral Society
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The Church of Our Lady of Salvation, popularly referred to as '''''Portuguese Church''''', is one of the oldest churches in [[Mumbai]] (formerly Bombay), [[India]]. It is located on S. K. Bole Road in [[Dadar]].<ref name= "IE3">{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/rao-bahadur-s-k-bole-road-a-social-reformer-bole-fought-for-mill-workers-5342342/ | title=Rao Bahadur S K Bole Road: A social reformer, Bole fought for mill workers | work=[[The Indian Express]] | date=6 September 2018 | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref> The church was originally built by the Portuguese [[Franciscans]] who called it ''Nossa Senhora da Salvação''.<ref>[http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/history.html#4 Greater Bombay District Gazetteer (Portuguese Period)]</ref> The present structure, designed by famous Indian architect [[Charles Correa]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/books-perfumed-jasmine-in-the-nave/302002 | title=Perfumed Jasmine In The Nave | work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine) |Outlook]] | date=19 August 2019 | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref> was constructed between 1974 and 1977.

== History==
The church of Our Lady of Salvation is believed by historians to be the city's oldest church, having existed as early as 1512.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbaiwale-cross-them-off-your-list/story-Xc1VzsQKKe6mWxUTf77VwO.html | title=Mumbaiwale: Cross them off your list | work=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=5 May 2018 | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref> It was built by the Portuguese Franciscan Missionaries. It was later rebuilt as a larger church in 1651.<ref name= "IE1">{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/church-with-futuristic-architecture-dates-back-to-the-portuguese-era-2904306/ | title=Church with 'futuristic' architecture dates back to the Portuguese era | work=[[The Indian Express]] | date=10 July 2016 | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref>

In 1974, Charles Correa, was commissioned to design the new building. Correa's design consisted of a series of interlinked spaces, some covered and others open to the sky, functionally differentiated in an analogue of Christ's life.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.charlescorrea.net | title=Salvacao Church, Dadar | work= Charles Correa Associates | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref><ref name= "IE1"/> The old church's steeples, the choir loft, the ascending roof and ornate facade were replaced by conical domes connecting the sanctuary (altar), the nave (central aisle), the baptistery (baptismal font), and the oratory (shrine). The structure featured an exposed concrete exterior, minus the plastering. Correa also invited noted Indian artist M F Husain and Anjolie Ela Menon to contribute to church. M F Husain executed a painting on glass for the central roof. Husain divided the glass into several segments for a stained-glass effect and painted the Biblical story of the five loaves and two fish, and the death and resurrection of Christ.<ref name= "IE2">{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/let-there-be-light-when-charles-correa-renovated-a-16th-century-baroque-church-in-mumbai-5399710/ | title=Let There Be Light: When Charles Correa renovated a 16th century baroque church in Mumbai | work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine) |Outlook]] | date=14 October 2018 | access-date= 20 February 2020}}</ref> Anjolie Ela Menon got a painting done depicting ''Christ on the Cross'' for a side chapel of the church devoted to prayer. It depicts Mother Mary and St. John on the either side of the crucified Christ. She also painted ''Eve'' and ''Adam'' on both side of Chapel Altar.<ref>Gudrun Lowner & Anand Amladass, Christian Themes in Indian Art: From the Mogul Times Till Today, Manohar Publications, 2010, p. 172 see, https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Christian_Themes_in_Indian_Art.html?id=RI_HtwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y</ref> The Church building houses a medical centre, a fitness centre, an [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] facility and a separate help group for the spouses of alcoholics.<ref name= "IE2"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Catholicism}}

[[Category:Roman Catholic churches in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Portuguese diaspora in Asia]]
[[Category:1596 establishments in Asia]]

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Portuguese Church (Mumbai)