EnglishChurch Of Saint John The Baptist
Benaulim, Goa, India
Religious Architecture
The original church in this part of Salcette was built by the Jesuits in 1581 on a flood-prone site in Colva. In 1596 it moved to its current location on the hill in Benaulim, serving as parish church for Benaulim and Colva. The architectural layout (large single nave and long tile roof) must date to that time, along with most of the nave’s construction. At unknown dates in the early 18th century the building underwent major renovations: the chancel was given a barrel vault with penetrations; the façade was arranged according to the Margao type, i.e. a central part with three sections and two tiers with a crown comprising templet and pediments, flanked by two slightly set-back four-tiered towers. There is no adornment, barring the crown, which has moulding on the single oculus and chakra-volutes of the same type as at the old church of Sancoale or that of Varca. Finally, a new sacristy was built: the rectangular room is divided into three sections articulated by semicircular shell niches serving as altars and covered by superb groin vaults and coffers with lateral penetrations. Both the Church of Saint John the Baptist and the adjacent parish building on its east flank (connected by a gallery and closed patio with gate) face northward from a hill with views in all directions. The modern cemetery is in the valley where the road passes.