St Matthew Church in Azossim is a historic parish church in Tiswadi with a long Jesuit past and a new church building on a nearby site. Also known as Sao Mateus Church, it is one of the oldest parish communities in the area and remains closely tied to village life.
Basic profile
- Location: Azossim, Goa 403104.
- Dedication: St Matthew the Apostle.
- Portuguese name: Sao Mateus Igreja em Azossim, Goa.
- Popular name: The Azossim Church.
- Parish size: Around 1,130 Catholics.
History
The original church of Azossim was built in 1600 by the Jesuits, and the present church was constructed between 1596 and 1610 on a nearby site. The move to a new site helped preserve and expand parish life while maintaining continuity with the older sacred place.
The parochial residence was added in 1993, showing that the parish continued to develop in recent times. The parish has also retained its older identity through records, traditions, and local memory.
As an early Jesuit church, Azossim is one of the older Catholic centres in the old Goa region.
Parish life
The parish has around 1,130 Catholics and remains active in worship and community gatherings. It includes a number of chapels, such as the Holy Cross Chapel at Pelem-Bhatt, which extend the parish’s spiritual presence in the area.
The parish is closely tied to village agriculture, local associations, and the traditional life of Azossim. It has also been important in social and civic matters over time.
Its parish identity is strengthened by the village’s strong connection to the church name of Sao Mateus.
Feast and devotion
The feast of St Matthew the Apostle is celebrated on the Sunday on or after 21 September every year. It is the principal feast of the parish and the major annual celebration in Azossim.
Devotion to St Matthew gives the parish its apostolic identity and links it to the broader Catholic tradition. The feast gathers parishioners for prayer, festivity, and village participation.
Note: The parish is often referred to as The Azossim Church, and the village name St Mateus is closely associated with the church’s identity.
Church building
The church is a Mannerist Neo-Roman structure with a formal façade and a traditional parish layout. It stands on a site that reflects both historic continuity and modern parish development.
The original structure and the later nearby church together show how the parish adapted over time. The building remains an important heritage landmark in the village.
Its setting in Azossim connects it to the broader old Goa landscape of missions and parish formation.
Address
- Address: St Matthew Church, Azossim, Goa 403104.
Present significance
Today, St Matthew Church at Azossim remains a significant parish with deep Jesuit roots and a strong local community. Its 1600 origin, nearby rebuilt church, and continuing feast traditions make it one of the important churches in Tiswadi.
For the people of Azossim, it is both a parish home and a symbol of the village’s long Catholic history.