Largest Church in India

Largest Church in India: India is a diverse country and has people coming from all castes as well as cultures living in harmony. When talking specifically about the religion of Christianity, you may find churches to hold an enchanting place in the nation. Going back to history, the religion of Christianity has been brought to India since 52 AD by an apostle of Jesus Christ named St. Thomas.

List of Church	Construction Year	Location
St. Francis Church	1503	Kerala
Basilica of Bom Jesus	1594	Goa
Velankanni Church	16th Century	Tamil Nadu
St. Paul’s Cathedral	1847	West Bengal

As times passed, churches began to consequently build and led to an impact on the nation as well. If you think that all the churches appear the same, then know that they have their uniqueness and history. Some are historically rich, while others have great architectural structures. But when talking about the largest church in India – you will not be left empty-handed. Let’s find out about the largest church and all the relevant details about it.

Largest Church of India: Overview

Among the largest churches in India, St. Francis Church tops the list. It is located in Kochi and was built in the year 1503 by a group of Portuguese Franciscan friars. Originally, it was just a mud and wood building devoted to St. Bartholomew.

Besides being the largest one, it is also among the oldest churches to exist. Being a European-built church in India, it is renowned for its exquisite interior decor and extraordinary atmosphere currently. There is a tall building that has a tile-covered gable roof framed with timber.

You may find two steeped pinnacles on either side as its front feature. It is also known to once have the grave of the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama which was later returned to Portugal. Currently, there is a designated area built inside the church for his interment. As the church holds rich significance, it also stands as an example of the Gothic-style buildings that came to India in the 16th Century.

List of Largest Churches in India – Check Out Now

Many churches in India can be categorized as the largest ones after being chronologically put on the list. As the St. Francis Church from Kochi, Kerala appears on the top, the next ones come in the order like- Basilica of Bom Jesus (Goa), Velankanni Church (Velankanni, Tamil Nadu), St. Paul’s Cathedral (Kolkata, West Bengal), and so on. Here below, we talk about all of them in detail. Stay tuned!

List of Church	Construction Year	Location
St. Francis Church	1503	Kerala
Basilica of Bom Jesus	1594	Goa
Velankanni Church	16th Century	Tamil Nadu
St. Paul’s Cathedral	1847	West Bengal

Largest Church in India – St. Francis Church, Kochi, Kerala

The St. Francis Church in India is among the largest and oldest churches to exist. It was constructed in the year of 1503 and conveys the social history of the nation. Additionally, it depicts the story of how Indians stood against European dominance at the time.

Another factor that makes this place popular is that it once held the grave of the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. Every year thousands of people from across the world visit this significant location with the hope of getting their wishes fulfilled and witnessing its magnificence.

Important Details of St. Francis Church
Location	Kochi, Kerala
Denomination	Church of South India
Consecrated Year	1506
Completion Year	1516
Diocese	Kochi Diocese

Second Largest Church in India – Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is the second largest church in India to exist in Old Goa. It was constructed in the year of 1594 and consecrated in the year of 1605. During this time, the church’s stunning baroque architecture was added to it. Being one of the magnificent locations having extraordinary architectural design, it gives rich views which further makes it popular.

Currently, UNESCO has also recognized the interior of the church as a world-historical monument. Simply put, there are spiritual components and many other features which increase its value. Millions of people from across the world come to this church to see it up close.

Important Details of Basilica of Bom Jesus Church
Location	Old Goa, Goa
Construction Year	1594
Completion Year	1605
Consecrated Year	1605
Consecrated By	Dom Fr. Aleixo De Menezes

Third Largest Church in India – Velankanni Church, Velankanni, Tamil Nadu

The third largest Indian church is the Velankanni church which is located on the sandy shores of the Bay of Bengal in Velankanni town of Tamil Nadu. Being constructed in the 16th century, it has a Gothic architectural design.

It is known to be the largest shrine in the nation and is called by many names including the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Velankanni, The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health and the Lourdes of the East. The church holds great significance as it is believed to cure disease when any followers present candles to the mother. Due to this reason, people from across the globe come to this location.

Some More Details of Velankanni Church
Location	Velankanni, Tamil Nadu
Denomination	Catholic Church in India
Status	Minor Basilica
Consecrated Year	1962
Archbishop	Antony Anandarayar

Fourth Largest Church in India – St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata, West Bengal

St. Paul’s Cathedral is the fourth-largest church in the nation. It is one of the most beautiful locations of worship and is known for its Gothic-style buildings. The church was established in the year 1847 as the first Episcopal church in Asia. Having breathtaking scenic beauty, it comes with curved glass windows from which the sun streams in. People in Kolkata as well as other parts of the world come to this location to witness its mesmerizing beauty.

Some More Details About St. Paul’s Cathedral
Location	Kolkata, West Bengal
Founded	1847
Founded By	Bishop Daniel Wilson
Diocese	Diocese of Calcutta
Cost of Construction	Rs.4,35,669
Denomination	Anglican (Church of North India)

Conclusion

A Church is a place where religion is no bar. It doesn’t matter which religion you belong to, if you keep faith in God, respect every religion, understand the Church’s rules and regulations and accept peace and harmony- you are welcome wholeheartedly. In fact, during festivals like Christmas and New Year, many people from different religions visit their nearby churches to experience the wonderful atmosphere all around and explore the festive moments. These largest churches in India as mentioned in the list above are no different. They get nicely decorated during the festivals and experience a huge crowd throughout the year, especially during the winter. You too may come to any of these during the festivals and unleash the hidden excitement within if you have not experienced it yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

After How Many Years Were Vasco Da Gama’s Remains Returned to Portugal from St. Francis Church?

Vasco Da Gama on his third visit to India died in the year 1524. During that time, the St. Francis Church served as a cremation destination for around 40 years. Later, his remains were returned to Lisbon, Portugal.

Which is the First Church Built in India and By Whom?

The Thomas Church located in Thrissur which is a popular district in Kerala is the first church to be built in India. It is known that this church was built in 52 AD by St. Thomas and was recognized as an Apostolic church.

Are There Any Other Largest Churches in India?

Yes, there are many other large churches present in India that you will come across. After St. Francis Church, some of the churches that you can explore include Se Catherine Church, Sacred Heart Church, Medak Cathedral, Vallarpadam Church and more. Each of these churches is located in a different part of India and has its significance.

Can Anyone Visit the Churches?

Yes, both the locals as well as the tourists can visit the churches. However, there are certain rules to be followed like the timings should be taken into account and tickets must be purchased. It is essential to follow the rules of the churches to have a convenient tour of these holy places.

Is Taking Photographs Allowed Inside the Church?

There are many churches which may allow you to take photographs. However, you may have to pay a certain fee for this. While others have put strict rules against this action. If you wish to take photographs, then make sure to ask the officials first or take a look at the rule board before proceeding. You’ll need to stick to the rules and guidelines while you are inside any of these largest churches in India.