Church Of St. Cajetan, Goa

Considered to be amongst the most beautiful churches in Goa, the Church of St. Cajetan resembles St. Peter’s Church in Rome. Built with laterite blocks, the church has influences on the Corinthian style of architecture. The tower is rectangular and the interiors are divided into different sections.

Each section has several aisles and flanking them are massive pillars. The wooden pulpit is decorated beautifully and the main altar is dedicated to the Holy Mother. There are numerous pictographic and sculptural depictions of the holy family. Some elements of the interior architecture are crafted in the Baroque style. All of this culminates into a visually stunning church.

History

The history of the church dates back to the middle of the 17th century when it was built by the Italian friars of the Order of Theatines. Dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence, the church is named after the founder of the Theatine order, St. Cajetan, an important religious personality during the period of St Francis Xavier. The construction of the church was completed in 1661 after permission to build a church and a convent at the site were obtained in 1655.

Architecture

One of the main attractions of the church is the exquisite architecture that surrounds it. Modeled after the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, the church showcases a Corinthian style of architecture.
Built of laterite blocks that are covered with a plaster of lime, the church exhibits Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches in which the statues of the apostles are kept.

The church consists of six alters, among which the main one is dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence. Besides these, the interiors of the church consist of wooden statues of the various saints of Christianity as well as paintings and sculptures depicting various scenes from the life of St. Cajetan.