The São Tomé Chapel, in Panjim, is all dressed up for the feast in 2010
PIC CREDIT: flickr.com/photos/joegoaukchurches
If you walk past the Head Post Office, in Panjim, you will notice a little chapel, with a beautiful tiered façade, in the busy locality. The chapel, Capela de São Tomé (the Chapel of St Thomas) or simply São Tomé Chapel is dedicated to St Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, believed to have arrived in India in 52 AD.
Situated in the centuries-old Tobacco Square, the chapel dates back to the colonial period. The original chapel was built in 1814, where the River Navigation Department now stands ie a short distance away from Rua 4 de Abril (4th April Road). The road 4 de Abril was later renamed Rua 31 de Janeiro (31st January Road).
The chapel overlooked the River Mandovi and had to be shifted because the Portuguese Government, under Governor General José Ferreira Pestana, wanted to put up a new building there, on the river bank, which would house the River Navigation Department.
A brass band plays festive tunes outside the chapel, while two children look on, on the feast day in 2010
THE NEW CHAPEL
Panjim was officially declared the capital of Goa on March 22, 1843, two years prior to the construction of the new chapel in Tobacco Square. The construction of the new building took four years to complete and was blessed on July 8, 1849. In the subsequent years, it underwent more renovation, and the reconstructed chapel finally opened to the public on February 8, 1902.
Fr Alinio A S de Santa Rita Lobo, who served as the chaplain of the chapel between 1956 and 1962, was instrumental in much-needed renovation. However, during the renovation, the old façade of 1902 was maintained. On May 30, 1961, the last year of Portuguese rule in Goa, the chapel was re-opened in the presence of the then Governor General Vassalo e Silva.
The main altar of São Tomé Chapel, Panjim
WHAT’S INSIDE
The main altar of the chapel has an image of St Thomas in the centre. There is an image of Our Lady on his right, and an image of St Joseph on his left. Below the image of St Thomas, there is an image of Infant Jesus as well as that of St Joseph Vaz.
Images of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Our Lady of Fatima, Jesus on the Cross, a painting depicting Jesus with two fishermen and a canoe, the relic of St Thomas in a niche, a painting of Jesus and His apostles with the disciple Thomas pointing towards Jesus (depicting the scene where he questions Jesus’ Resurrection) can also be found in the chapel.
This year, the annual feast of the patron, São Tomé is on Sunday, February 13, 2022