The Early Churches of Mangalore

The Portuguese Franciscan Missionaries who had pioneered into the Kanara coastal regions built three small churches at Bolar Fort (Rosario), Ullal-Panir and Arkula, later known as Omzoor and catered to the spiritual needs of those who were already Christians.

However, the Portuguese power declined and the Dutch appeared on the scene, who were not too kindly to any Catholic cause. The British East India Company was established in 1600 A.D. and soon they established their supremacy over the Arabian Sea and India which resulted in an era of uncertainty as the Portuguese and Goan priests were recalled to Goa. Subsequently, the faithful in Kanara were left with no sacraments and the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. However, the devotion of the holy rosary kept them united with Christ and they remained firm in their faith.

The birth of Milagres (First church)

In 1658, a Carmelite missionary visited the Kanara Christians and reported their sorry plight to Rome. The Holy See lost no time in coming to their aid. It appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas de Castro, a Theatine Priest, Vicar Apostolic of Kanara and Malabar in 1674.

Bishop Thomas de Castro, who was born in Goa, but educated in Rome, came to Mangalore in 1678-80. Bishop de Castro made his residence at Milagres, got a grant of land from Queen Keladi Chennama of Bednore and built the first church in 1680 in the place of the present cemetery.

He died on 16th July 1684 and his grave in the Milagres cemetery may be identified by bronze slab next to the St. Monica Chapel.

Challenging Times (Second church)

Some time later, Queen Chennama (from whom the Church site was obtained in the first place) and King Bassappa resumed the land. In around 1715, a Mangalorean Priest Rev. Fr. Pinto secured the land again from King Somashekar II. His nephew Rev. Fr. A. Pinto who succeeded him, built a new church at the site of the present church in 1756.

In 1763 Kanara fell under the control of Hyder Ali and then his son Tippu Sultan in 1782. Suspecting the loyalty of the Christians, on Ash Wednesday, 24 February 1784, Tippu Sultan captured about 1,80,000 Christians and herded them to his capital Srirangapatnam. In the same year, they also destroyed 27 churches including Milagres Church, Mangalore.

A Triumph from the ashes (Third church)

Among those who returned to Mangalore from Srirangapatnam after the death of Tippu Sultan was one Lawrence Bello (a baker to the Europeans) who built a chapel to replace the church completely demolished by Tippu, on the site of the present church at a cost of Rs 400/. Fr. Mendez, the Vicar secured the necessary furniture, etc., raised funds and secured a contribution of Rs.600/ from the Government with the help of Salvadore Pinto (former Munshi under Tippu Sultan) and laid the foundation for a new spacious church in 1811.

The fourth church

As the parishioners were in need of a permanent house for God, in 1811, a big church building was erected, with generous donations of stones, timber and iron girders donated by the local Catholics; it was erected at the same place where the present church stands, this being the fourth church. We are told that as the walls rose, tier by tier, tears of joy were shed by those who contrasted their present happy state with the horrors of captivity.

The priests who ministered at the Milagres church till 1865 were mainly of Goan origin and since they had no knowledge of Kannada and Tulu, they could conduct services in Latin and preach in Konkani. During their priestly ministry many Portuguese words which the Goan clergy had adopted into their local language, became part of our Konkani, like Escola, Kumgar, Kumsar, Besav, Podorn, Modorn, Egargia, Pirjent,Vara, Muddhom, Tidrer, Miron, Chamadore, Sarti etc.

The Present Church (Fifth church)

As stated, Fr. Mendez built a new church in 1811. Exactly 100 years later in 1911, the facade of the church collapsed during the rainy season. Fr. (later Msgr.) Frank Pereira the then Parish Priest, erected the present magnificent church with Augustus Diamanti S.J. (of Jeppu Seminary fame) as architect. This structure is the present church building except for the portico which was put up later.

Fr. Augustus Diamanti S.J. was the architect was an Italian with rich knowledge of European art. He had already erected the Seminary building with the Jeppu church which in the last decades of the nineteenth century was a magnum opus. We are told that the two front towers of the Milagres Church were so massive that no foundation could take their weight; finally, a supervisor in the person of Joachim Fernandes from Goa who had carried out such tasks of erecting towers in that diocese was called upon to give the much needed expertise.

This Church in the heart of the city stands tall; if it does so it is because of the industrious nature of its past parishioners and the Goan, European and Mangalorean priests who have rendered unstinted service to the church during the 339 years of its existence. It is a magnificent piece of art; but there’s more to it than just art; it is a place where Mother Mary’s devotees come from far and near to venerate her.

Step inside the church and spend a few minutes in solitude in front of the Blessed Sacrament; then slowly cast your eyes on Milar Saibeen – her comforting gaze will soothe and strengthen you.