The church time forgot

Jul 28, 2012 - Age Correspondent

— Nicholas P.

It may be completely in ruins today, but the St. John the Baptist church in Mumbai (Andheri East) is a throwback to the region’s Portuguese colonial past. Built as far back as 1579 by the Portuguese, the church became a focal point for celebrations of the feast of John the Baptist among the local community.

It’s glory days lasted until 1840 when an epidemic hit the area and the entire population shifted to an adjacent neighbourhood. The church’s altar was transferred to the new locality and the abandoned original building began to disintegrate over time. But on one day in May every year, the dilapidated, roofless church comes alive. Devotees (from the East Indian community) gather for the annual mass of St. John the Baptist, and there is a prayer procession. A restoration has been proposed.

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