ST. ALEX CHURCH - CURTORIM
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Panjim (Goa)): 40 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Holy Spirit Church, Margao
Trip Duration (From Holy Spirit Church, Margao, Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: Curtorim
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Holy Spirit Church (8 kms)
At a distance of 40 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 34 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway station and 9 km from Margao Railway Station, St. Alex Church situated in Curtorim of South Goa.
St. Alex Church is one of the oldest churches in Goa and is the first chapel church. It was built in 1597 on the banks of the Angoddi Tollem Lake which gives it a natural scenic background along with the peace and quiet on the site of an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the powerful deity Ravalnath, incarnation of Lord Shiva.
This Church was constructed in 1597 with financial help from the Communidade of Curtorim. The Church was rebuilt in 1647 and today is a magnificent structure standing majestically by the side of Angoddi Tollem one of the five big lakes in Curtorim. The St. Alex Church looks truly glorious during the Christmas season when the youngsters from the village prepare a floating crib in the lake.
The Church has more of a contemporary 18th century styled design with lively decorations similar to the Mangueshi temple at Priol. The Alex Church follows the same style and pattern of churches found in Salcete with some part of the walls having red laterite while the other part painted with white only the façade and the porch plastered.
The main altar is very elegant in its design with scrolled pilasters. A simple whitewashed front gives the church a stately appearance with the giant palm trees surrounding it. The interiors of the church are lavish and elegant with its pulpit and screen magnificently ornamented.
The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated with more fervour by the villagers on 18th December. This feast is also known as 'Feast of O' as in earlier times when the services were in Latin, every prayer from 18th to 25th December, would begin with the Latin alphabet 'O'. This feast is also known as Kelleam fest (Feast of bananas). This is because in ancient times a lot of bananas would be traded at the fair for this feast.
Timings: 9 AM - 8:30 PM on all days.
