St Francis Church, Kochi Overview

St. Francis Church in Kochi, which finely exhibits Portuguese architecture, is believed to be one of a kind amongst all the European churches which were constructed in India. It was constructed in the 15th century by the Portuguese traders. Vasco-da-Gama, the famous explorer, was buried in this church when he died in 1524, on his third visit to India. His remains were moved to Lisbon after fourteen years but his gravestone is still present in the church.

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Details about the Church

The church when constructed initially was a small wooden structure. However, the Portuguese viceroy, Dom Francisco Almedia brought in the idea of renovating the church. As a result of this, it was reconstructed into a stony structure in 1516. St. Francis Church is famous for its simplicity housing a collection of wooden as well as cloth fans inside which function using ropes. The fans, along with the glass windows present in the entrance hall, compliment the ancient interiors of the church. There is an exquisite porch which is located at a height and is undoubtedly going to draw your attention along with the choir area and the bell tower.

History of St Francis Church

St. Francis Church, famous for its structural design and vibes, holds an important place in ancient history. It was originally named as Santo Antonio after the patron saint of Portugal.
The opulent church is a beauty in itself and is known for Dutch as well as Portuguese influences here. It was constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars. The architecture of the church has evolved originally being made of mud and wood. After the Portuguese, Dutch and British, it finally came under the control of the Church of South India in 1949. The timber-framed roof is what attracts most visitors. This church has a touch of the ancient art to it which can be felt at present as well.

Architecture of St Francis Church

The church has been constructed in the Portuguese style of architecture with a timber-framed roof which is covered with tiles. All the doors and windows in the church have a semi-circular ache. The bell tower of the church is made up of three compartments. The gravestones of the Portuguese lie on the northern wall and those of the Dutch lie on the southern wall of the church. There is a gravestone of Vasco-da-Gama as well. The walls of the regal church are beautifully decorated with painted artworks. Several churches have been built keeping St. Francis Church as the prototype. Thus, St. Francis Church is an important tourist attraction and a perfect place for the history lovers out there. The architecture and history of the church are essential and play a trivial role in the thriving of the tourism industry of Kochi.

How To Reach St Francis Church Kochi

St. Francis Church is located at a distance of 13 km from Ernakulam and can be reached via a bus or a boat. Once you reach Kochi, you can either hire a cab or an auto-rickshaw or a bus to reach Fort Kochi where the church is situated.