ST. PHILIP AND JAMES CHURCH - CORTALIM
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 17 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Church of Our Lady of Health, Sancoale (2.2 kms)
Trip Duration (From Church of Our Lady of Health, Sancoale , Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Cortalim
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Church of Our Lady of Health, Sancoale (2.2 kms)
At a distance of 17 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 13 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 16.7 km from Margao Railway Station, St. Philip and James Church is situated in South Goa.
The Church of St. Philip and James also known as Ss. Filipe & Tiago Church is situated at Cortalim. The Church of Cortalim was built around 1566 on the ground donated by the Gaunkars to the Jesuit college of St. Paul and was dedicated to the Apostles St. Philip and St. James. St. James is also called San Tiago. A chapel situated near the church marks the place where the first Jesuits to enter Salcete celebrated a mass to signify the event on May 1, 1560.
According to the history the present Church stands on the place where once a Hindu temple of Lord Manguesh stood. The temple was destroyed by the Portuguese conquerors somewhere in 16th century. The temple then was shifted to the present location of Mangueshi in Ponda.
The Church's main altar carved and gilded is dedicated to the patron Saints Philip and James. The Church was opened for public worship on 1 May 1566 and dedicated to Saints Philip and James. Over the years some structural alterations to the church building have been made. A new cemetery was built and recently a new grotto dedicated to our Lady of Fatima was erected at the side of the eastern wall.
In the early years of its history the Church played a significant role in the evangelization of Salcete. Apart from the worship services, Church of St Philip and St James provides counseling services, sports and self-employment schemes and runs a high school named Our Lady of Perpetual Succor High School.
