 Built in Doric style, Church of St Pauls was once one of the finest examples of Jesuit architecture in Goa. The ravages of time however has taken a huge toll on the structure of the church. The ruins of this once beautiful church can be seen along the road from Old Goa to Ponda, a few kilometers away from Gandhi Circle. The church first began its operation in order to teach young converts theology. In its heydays the college was among the largest of its kind in India. Other than elementary education, the college also imparted higher education in Music, Latin, Arts and Sciences.
This seminary was once run by St. Francis Xavier. The college of St Pauls can claim to be the first house of the Jesuit Order in Goa. A few years later the old college building was demolished and two other buildings were constructed. In the year 1557, King Dom Joao facilitated the study of secular art and sciences. With this the collage gained new momentum and thousands of students from all over the world started to flock to the place.
In the year 1560 the church was demolished and built anew. The dramatic representation of the passion of Christ was first introduced here. The main attraction of the procession was public self flogging. Another tradition of throwing flowers on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Mount first started from this place. The association of St Francis Xavier with the college has given the college and the church a special importance. The surplice of St. Francis Xavier's was deposited in a silver box and kept in the college but it was later taken to Basilica of Bom Jesus. |
