It stands on the Esplanade Grounds, by the reclaimed Marine Lines. Writing
for 'The Examiner' in 1983, Owen Kail reports it stands on the site of the
'second' Esperenca church. The first was built in the Fort area soon after
Portugal acquired the city from Bahadur Shah in 1534.
Bombay was tranferred to King Charles in 1665, who in turn leased it to the
East India Company for 10 pounds a year ! Faced with attacks by Omanese
pirates, the Fort was fortified, the church dismantled and moved to the Cross
Maidan site around 1550.
Fearing a sea assault by Napolean in 1804, and believeing that the French
would use church structure for a fort, the English demolished it again, and
used the same material to build what came to known as the 'Old Bhuleshwar
Cathedral.' That church taken down when Wodehouse was built in the 30's:
moving home then were the buried remains of Bombay's last Padroad bishop, Lima.
The Cross is over two hundred years old now. Owen write " It is the centre
of devotion for people from every denomination and walk of life, where they
gather to light a candle and pray."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protect Goa's natural beauty
Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve
Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
