MODERATOR'S NOTE: -------------------------------------------------------
[Fr Nascimento Mascarenhas, an elderly priest and history enthusiast,
translates old Portuguese records that show what went into building a church
in the late nineteenth century. The account below gives detailed accounts,
and also shows the traditional material that went into the building of such
a structure at that time. This was originally posted to Saligaonet. There
might be some typos in the text below, because the original posting was not
in plain-ASCII text. -FN]
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BUDGET OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SALIGAO CHURCH 1
Today we begin a new series on our Saligao Church which deals with the
construction as well as the financial aspect. We begin with the set-up of
things prior to the laying of the foundation stone of the church. The year
is 1866.
The Inspector of Public Works Department, Major Engineer Martins was asked
to draw up a plan for a Gothic Church which he did. He presented a budget of
the construction of the Church amounting to 49.869 xerafins and 8 reis in
silver. The Comunidade of Saligao is to pay all expenses of the building.
Then Major Martins through Colonel Inspector Candido Jose Mourao Garcez
Palha sent a letter from Nova Goa, dated 10th April, 1866, to the Governor
General, Mr. Jose Ferreira Pestanha, informing him about the building of a
new Church at Saligao, Bardez and its plan and budget as well as the days of
auction.
The Comunidade of Saligao also sent its minutes to the Governor General
dated 6th May, 1866 regarding the auction of the works of the Church
submitted according to the plans and budget proposed by Major Engineer
Martins. These were approved by the Governor General through an Order of
20th June, 1866.
Public tenders were invited and were asked to appear on first, eight and
fifteenth of July, 1866 in the House of Comunidade, where the plan, budget a
nd terms of auction by the Notary of the Comunidade Mr. Sebastiao Salvador
Coelho through public announcement dated 28th June, 1866, were displayed. An
additional budget of 1606 xerafins. 4 tangas and 26 reis was presented by
the Chief Engineer Martins who was present in the Comunidade of Saligao on
16th July, 1866. The Procurator of the Comunidade Mr. Francisco Salvador
Pinto made a petition to the Governor General dated 17th July, 1866, to
approve the budget etc. The Governor General gave his approval to the budget
by its Order of 26th July, 1866.
In a public meeting of the Comunidade of Saligao held later on that same
year, it was decided to have the laying of the foundation stone of the new
Church on 7th February,1967.
REGARDING THE BUDGET OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SALIGAO CHURCH.
YEAR 1866. More or less the Budget of the expenses of the construction of
the Church in the Village of Saligao of the Council of Bardez in the place
close to Temba known as MADDAVADDO belonging to the Communidade de Bardez,
is as follows:
Article A.
In what respects to the works of masonry of the Church, the Sanctuary and
the Belfry.
The Church will be 100 `maos' (Mao 18 inches or 1 BD foot hat in, konkani)
in length and 24 maos in breadth; each wall of th e Church and that of the
Sanctuary (Capela-mor) of the Northern side will be 40 Maos in height built
on a foundation of 8 maos in depth and 7 maos thickness, except the two
walls opposite on the southern side. These will be 4 maos in thickness and
reinforced by 8 buttresses of the dimensions indicated in the plan. The
Sanctuary will have a vault of full turn.
The Belfry will be built bound to the front of the Church. This front which
will serve as one of its four surfaces will be 100 maos in height from the
base and 13 maos of foundation in depth. The exterior breadth with its
pillars will correspond to the total breadth of the church. The principal
front of the church and its inferior part with its porch will serve as an
entrance to the Church.
Regarding the works of the masonry of the sacristy, its corridor and choir
of the Church.
The Sacristy and the Corridor joined to the internal part of the sanctuary
of the church will be of 50 maos length and 24 `maos, breadth and its
lateral walls will be 16 maos in depth and 4 maos medium thickness. The
three respective dividing walls will have the height proportionate to the
breadth of the said accommodations.
The arch of the Choir which should not be more than 20 maos in height from
its base will be supported on 4 pillars of four maos thickness and will have
a staircase beginning from the corridor of 6 maos breadth.
Regarding the Roofing of the Church, the Sanctuary, Sacristy and Corridor.
The roofing of the Church will have the gothic system and sustained on 6 big
beams with all supports and covered with tiles. The sanctuary, Sacristy and
Corridor will have the system in use and will be covered also with tiles.
This is a free translation of the original document in Portuguese. Having
less knowledge of architectural designs and paraphernalia and terminology of
Art and Architecture I used the terminology in vogue of the times of the
Foundation of the Church. That certainly is not the correct terminology for
our present times. However I have requested our eminent architect Mr. Dean
D`Cruz to get the correct measurements done which will be better ap
preciated by the people of Saligao as well as the tourists visiting our
Church. However converting the old system into the present terminology we
can more or less say that the Church is 45.70 meters in length, 10.97 meters
in breadth and from base to the tip of the cross on the spire 45.70 meters
in height or simply 100 hands (maos) in length, 24 hands in breadth and 100h
ands in height.
Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas.
BUDGET OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SALIGAO CHURCH 2
ARTICLE II
In What Respects To The Budget Of The Works Of Masonry Item-Wis
The foundations and the walls of the Church, Sanctuary, Arcade of the Choir
and Belfry produce 170 braces of masonry of 300 cubic maos each brace. For
its construction the following material will be used: 12.750 big stones,
each one 3 BD maos of length, ten thumbs of breadth and 7 maos of thickness
@ 40 xerafins 5,100 xerafins.
34 mounds of lime @ 25 xerafins a mound 850 xerafins.
5,000 baskets of mud (of stones) @ ten xerafins a hundred 500 xerafins
1.500 baskets of sweet sand @ 3 xerafins a hundred 45 xerafins.
12 maos of coconut jaggery @ 6 xerafins 90 xerafins.
For works of masons and helpers to dig the foundations, its construction an
d the walls regulating 10 xerafins a brace, approximately 1.7000 xerafin.
The walls in general of the Church, Sanctuary, Arcade of the choir and the
Belfry which should be constructed with all its mouldings cimalhas, columns,
arcarde, tribunes, vaults and cupolas will produce approximately 425 braces
of masonry work of 300 cubic maos each brace. For its construction the
following material will be used.:
9000 big stones and of dimension and price indicated above 3.600 xerafins.
10,000 stones of maos of length, 10 thumbs of breadth and 7 maos of
thickness @ 33 xerafins a hundred3.3000 xerafins. 12.000 stones of 2 BD maos
of length, 9 thumbs of breadth a nd 7 maos of thickness @ 30 xerafins a
hundred 3,6000 xerafins. 5.500 stones of the said length, 14 thumbs of
breadth and 6 maos of thickness @ 35 xerafins a hundred 1.925 xerafins. 400
stones of 3 BD maos in square and 7 thumbs thickness @ 100 xerafins a
hundred 400 xerafins. 800 baskets of mud stones idem 800 xerafins. 70 maos
of coconut jaggery, idem420 xerafins. 35 ‘ maos of cato, idem 525
xerafins.
For the works of masons and helpers for the perfect execution of all the
referred work inclusive of red and white; cafelo, calculated
@ 20 xerafins each brace 8.500 xerafins.
The same for the works of Carpenters for the construction of all unadorned,
entering into account the wood and all necessary material 500 xerafins. The
walls of the sacristy an the corridor with its foundations and the walls of
cement mixed (entulho) in total will produce 60 braces of masonry work. For
the execution of its construction the use of the following material will be
necessary; 6.700 stones of 2 BD ‘ maos of length, 9 thumbs of breadth
and 7 thumbs of thickness @ 30 xerafins a hundred 2.010 xerafins. 15 moios
of chunnam @ 25 xerafins a moi 375 xerafins. 1.200 baskets of mud stones @
10 xerafins a hundred 120 xerafins. 300 baskets of the sweet sand @ 3
xerafins per hundred 9 xerafins. 4 ‘ maos of coconut jaggery @ 6
xerafins a mao 24 xerafins. maos catho @ 15 xerafins mao 30 xerafin s.
Of the works of masons and helpers @ 12 xerafins a brace 720 xerafins.
The staircase of the choir and the steps, for internal doors of the corridor
of the church can produce 7 braces of work of masonry which sum up to 35
xerafins, each brace 245 xerafins.
In short -- 56.350 stones are used for the Church.
7.000 Baskets of mud-stones.
34 mounds of lime.
2000 baskets of sweet sand .
86 maos of coconut jaggery.
43 maos of catho
150 moios of chunnam..
As years passed by repairs and re-construction with their new budgets
followed. However the above mentioned articles and budget is given here so
that the new generation of Saligaokars know about the material used to
construct the original Church of Mae de Deus Saligao as well as the amou nt
approved. The original text is in Portuguese.
Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas.
BUDGET OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SALIGAO CHURCH 3
ARTICLE 3
In What Respects To The Budget Of The Timber(Roofing)
For the roofing of the Sanctuary which should be of two layers and covered
with false-tiles will have the following materials:-
60 maos girders of timber of mareta of 4 and 6 thumbs of thic kness @ 2
xerafins a mao 120 xerafins.
62 beams of timber each one of 8 maos of length and of 3 or 4 thumbs of
thickness @ 1 xerafim a mao 496 xerafins.
31 beams of timber each one of 5 maos of length and one of said thickness @
of three tangas a mao 93 xerafins.
100 maos of thin timber planks fillings and over it wooden planks of 5
thumbs of breadth @ 15 xerafins a hundred 15 xerafins.
3.000 small beams ‘ kami @ 8 xerafins a thousand 240 xerafin
s.
12.000 false tiles of big dimention @ 10 xerafins a thousand 120 xerafins.
1 BD moios of chunam for the peaks, water channels and moulding (patnam) @
of 25 xerafins a moy 37 xerafins, 2 tan gas and 30 reis.
100 baskets of sweet sand @ 3 xerafins a hundred 3 xerafins.
For Carpentry work 100 xerafins.
The same for ‘oleiros persons that place the tiles, mouldings (
patnam) etc. 60 xerafins..
For the Roofing of the Church by gothic system which has to be fixed on mas
ter beams and covered with false tiles- the following amount will be spent.
12 tin boxes of seasoned teak, each piece of 14 maos of length and 6 to 8
thumbs of thickness, 6 master beams @ 42 xerafins each 504 xerafins.
350 tin boxes of equal timber and thickness for plumes, arcs and other
inclinations that should reinforce the beams @ 2 BD xerafins a mao 900
xerafins.
36 curves of the same timber each one of 5 maos of length which after
chiseling remains 6 and 8 thumbs of thickness @ 2 xerafins a mao 360
xerafins.
5 small beams of 11 ‘maos of length each and 5 and 7 thumbs of
thickness for the peak @ 22 xerafins each 110 xerafins, 2 tangas and 30
reis.
120 maos traverse of 5 and 7 thumbs of thickness @ 2 BD xera fins a
mao 300 xerafins.
40 water channels aguaneiras each one of 11 maos of length and 4 and 6
thumbs thickness for the 8 orders of frames fieira or moldos madres @ 2
xerafins a mao 88 0 xerafins.
68 teak (mareta) for 34 scissor-shaped (tesoura), each one of 15 maos of
length and 3 BD and 5 thumbs of thickness @ 1 BD xerafim a mao 1.530
xerafins.
34 teak beams for oliveis idem 408 xerafins.
3.800 maos of teak for the laths (ripa) of 3 thumbs of length and one of
thickness, 25 xerafins a hundred 950 xerafins.
2.700 maos of Champo of 10 thumbs of length 30 xerafins a hundred 810
xerafins.
24 bolts of iron (cavilha de ferro) to bolt the master beams @ 3 xerafins
each 72 xerafins.
14 maos of big nails of teak (pregos grandes aguaeiros) @ 6 BD xerafins a
mao 91 xerafins.
10 maos of nails with head (pregos da cabeca) for the laths 10 xerafins a
mao 100 xerafins. 5.000 big iron nails @ 4 xerafins a thousand 20 xerafins.
30.00 big false tiles @ 10 xerafins a thousand 300 xerafins.
12 black stones each one of 4 maos in length to be placed under the big
cachorros in which the bases of the master teak s hould remain firm @ 6
xerafins each stone 72 xerafins.
6 mounds of chunnam (mois de cal) for the top and water-channels
(algerozos), to equip (guarnecer) and fix the tiles with mortar (argamassa)
by a system of pipes (canudo) @ 25 xerafins a moy 150 xerafins.
400 baskets of mud of stones @ 3 xerafins a hundred 12 xerafins.
4 maos of coconut jaggery @ 6 xerafins a mao 24 xerafins.
1 that of catho @ 15 xerafins a mao 15 xerafins.
For the work of Carpentry, for the perfect execution of all this
construction 1.500 xerafins. The same for blacksmiths in the form mentioned
30 0 xerafins.
To construct the wooden frames of the sacristy and corridor with tiles of
one water-channel (uma agua) and false tiles will consist of the following
materials:
164 maos of traverses (frechas) of 4 and 6 thumbs of thickness according to
the price indicated above 328 xerafins.
One architrave (tirante) of 7 to 9 thumbs thickness of 16 maos of length 4
@ xerafins a mao. 64 xerafins.
Two teak beams each of them 14 ‘maos in length and 3 BD and 5 thumbs
thickness for the sticks of the frames (para paus de fieira) @ 1 BD xerafim
a mao 42 xerafins.
31 of the same, each one of 15 maos of length and 3 BD and 4 thumbs of
thickness @ 6 tangas a mao 620 xerafins.
18 maos of cross-bars (travetas) of 6 and 7 thumbs of thickn ess for the 12
cachorros @ 1 BD xerafins a mao 27 xerafins.
3.000 large laths (covado de ripas largas) @ of 80 xerafins a thousand 21 0
xerafins.
19.000 false-tiles of big dimension (mark) @ 10 xerafins, 2 tangas and 30
reis.
100 baskets of sweet sand @ 3 xerafins a hundr4ed 3 xerafins.
For the carpentry work 100 xerafins. For the same work by blacksmith
(oleiros) 50 serafins.
For the construction of the floor of the choir of the church (soalho do cor
o da Igreja) and its staircase which should be of turned balusters
(balustres torneadas). This will require the following material:
1109 traverses each of two maos of length and 6 to 8 thumbs of thickness @
36 xerafins each 432 xerafins. 450 maos of planks (taboas) of 9 thumbs of
length and 4 tangas a 13 xerafins.
For the railings (gradaria) of the choir with timber and pattern 175 xera
fins.
For the construction of 9 doors of framework (caixilho) of different large
ness and thickness, being four of these with big moulds and panels (mouldur
as e almofadas em relevo), all of good and solid teak -wood with iron
fittings (ferragem) could cost with the pattern (feitio) and fixing in their
proper places 785 xerafins).
TOTAL AMOUNT. The total amount of the budget is 52.802 xerafins, 2 tangas
and 30 reis in two parts in silver and the third in copper which all reduced
to silver coinage is equal to 49,869 xerafins and 8 reis in silver. This
amount approximately correspond to the funds destined by the mentioned
Comunidade.
Headquarters (Quartel) of Nova Goa, 8th April, 1866.
The Major Engineer,
MARTINS
Posted on the Net by: Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas.
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