St Francis Xavier Church in Macasana is a parish church in Curtorim with a long chapel history and a strong local identity. It grew from a small village chapel into a full parish church and remains an important Catholic centre in South Goa.
Basic profile
- Location: Macasana, Curtorim, Goa 403709.
- Dedication: St Francis Xavier.
- Portuguese name: Sao Francisco Xavier Igreja em Macasana, Goa.
- Popular name: The Macasana Church.
- Parish size: Around 3,000 Catholics.
History
The first chapel in Macasana was constructed in 1651 by the Communidade of Macasana with the permission of Archbishop Dom Frei Francisco dos Martyres. It was originally under the jurisdiction of the Curtorim parish.
During the Maratha invasion of Goa in 1739, the chapel was ransacked. It was later rebuilt with government approval in 1760, and a new bell was purchased for the chapel using community funds. In 1769, the government granted a sizeable portion of khazan land from the surrounding fields.
The chapel was elevated to parish status in 1808 and formally raised to the status of a church on 12 August 1809. Over time, the small chapel developed into a parish church serving a much larger community.
By the early 21st century, the old church had become too small, so it was extended rather than replaced. The extension was completed in 2016, allowing the parish to keep its historic church while adapting it for present needs.
Parish life
The parish has around 3,000 Catholics and remains active in the life of the village. It serves the local Catholic community with Mass, sacraments, catechesis, parish events, and devotional gatherings.
The parish also includes a chapel at the leprosy hospital in Macasana, which shows its wider pastoral reach. The church has long been an important place of spiritual care for the surrounding area.
Because the parish grew from a community chapel, it still carries a strong sense of local ownership and continuity.
Feast and devotion
The feast of St Francis Xavier is celebrated on 10 December every year. Although the universal Church marks St Francis Xavier on 3 December, the Macasana parish keeps its own traditional feast date.
This feast is the principal celebration of the parish and the main annual moment of prayer and community gathering. It highlights the parish’s long devotion to its patron saint and the strong memory of its chapel origins.
Note: The church’s feast on 10 December is one of the distinctive parish traditions that sets Macasana apart from other St Francis Xavier churches in Goa.
Church building
The church stands on a hillock and is reached by climbing 28 steps, though a tarred road also leads to the entrance. Its setting gives it a clear and memorable village presence.
The façade carries an image of St Francis Xavier and has two towers, one of which houses the bell. Inside, the old church had three altars, while the newer extension has a single liturgical altar and devotional panels showing scenes from the life of the saint.
The church combines older Portuguese-era features with later parish improvements, giving it both heritage and practical value.
Address
- Address: St Francis Xavier Church, Macasana, Curtorim, Goa 403710.
Present significance
Today, St Francis Xavier Church at Macasana remains a living parish church with deep historical roots. Its 1651 chapel origin, 1809 church status, and 2016 extension make it one of the notable parish churches in South Goa.
For the people of Macasana, it is both a centre of worship and a sign of the community’s long continuity.