When we think of ancient churches in India, we think of Old Goa. However, did you know that the first church built by Europeans in India is in Fort Kochi? Christianity was already prevalent in the region, thanks to St. Thomas, who arrived in 52 AD. The churches he built were no more, but the people he converted had followed their religion for centuries before the Portuguese arrived, bringing their own brand of Christianity. The Hindu ruler gave them a strip of land, where they first built a fort, and within it, a church. This church, built of wood in 1503, was dedicated to Saint Bartholomew. The Franciscans made it a permanent structure, with bricks and mortar, in 1516, and dedicated it to St. Anthony. Then the Dutch arrived, and converted it to a Protestant Church, till it passed into British hands, and came to be called the ‘St. Francis Church’.

The present church was renovated in 1776, during the Dutch era, though the insides are predominantly British. The interiors are filled with gravestones of the earliest colonists, dating from Portuguese to Dutch times, each with their own family coat-of-arms. The most interesting thing about the church however, is the erstwhile resting place of Vasco-da-Gama. The intrepid explorer, who opened up the sea route to India, was on his third visit, when he contracted malaria, and died on Christmas Eve, 1524. He was interred in this church, and rested in peace for 16 years, before his remains were shipped to Portugal. The stone over his grave is now withered, the lettering is almost illegible, but the stone remains in its place, a lasting reminder of the man who played a defining role in changing the course of history.

Note: The church is located just off the beach road, and is within walking distance from the beach. Services are held in the church only on Sundays, and entry is restricted at that time.