ST. ELIZABETH'S CHURCH - UCASSAIM
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 13 Kms
Commonly Visited From: St. Jeromes Church, Mapusa (2.6 kms)
Trip Duration (From St. Jeromes Church, Mapusa , Including Travel): 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Place Location: Ucassaim
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from St. Jeromes Church, Mapusa (2.6 kms)
At a distance of 13 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 39 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 5 km from Mapusa, St. Elizabeth's Church is situated in North Goa.
St. Elizabeth's Church also known as Santa Isabel de Portugal Church is located in Ucassaim. The construction of the original church building commenced by Franciscans in 1618 and was completed in 1628. The Comunidades of Ucassaim, Bastora, Punola, Paliem and many private individuals funded the construction. A storm destroyed the church in 1708 and in the same year the church was reconstructed on an enlarged scale. Some major repairs were done internally in 1996 and in 2008.
The Church of Ucassaim is dedicated to St. Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal and is quite elegant in its architecture. The Church was built in Mannerist style with Rococo features. It has a Rocco curved gable with crown mounted above icon and a bell tower to the left. A magnificent statue of Christ the King is found in front of the church.
The Church has three alters, the main altar at the center and two smaller altars on both sides. The statue of the patron saint St. Elizabeth dominates the main altar. The main altar also houses the sanctuary where the Blessed Sacrament is preserved. The right side altar bears the statue of the Crucified Jesus below and which are smaller statues of St. Anne and St. Anthony. The left side altar bears the statue of Our Lady of Health, whose feast is very popular and below which are smaller statues of St. Joseph and St. Sebastian. On the right side wall you can find the Pulpit which was once upon a time used for preaching.
The feast of the patron is actually on July 4 but the day being in the thick of the monsoons. Because of this reason the Ucassaim villagers celebrated this feast along with the feasts of St Sebastian, Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Health in February with great pomp. After a festive lunch of sorpotel, sannam and the rest, everyone prepares to go for the village dance, football match and the tiatr.
