![]() Architecture of Chapel of St. Xavier The architectural pattern of the church is of Doric style with laterite plasters and lime mortar extensively used in the construction process. The church is a plain chapel with only one altar and tiled roof supported by wooden rafters. In the year 1624 the body of St. Francis was taken to the Chapel of St. Francis from Casa Professade Bom Jesus. The silver casket was a simple one. However in 1637 the body was transferred into a new silver casket which is considered as one of the best specimens of Italian art in India. There are altogether thirty two silver plates on all the four sides of the casket that illustrate the different episodes relating to the saint's life. The original chapel was in existence in 1545. Later it fell into ruins with the outbreak of the epidemic and the consequent abandoning of the College of St. Paul in 1570. The present chapel was built in 1884. The simplicity of the church adds to the charm of the place. There are scripts, which endorse the fact that the church was dedicated to St Anthony or St Jerome, the two chapels of the garden of St Paul's college. During the Feast of St Francis Xavier, the church is beautifully decorated with flowers and lighting. People flock to pray to the Lord. Renovation of Chapel of St. Xavier Conservation work was undertaken of Chapel of St. Xavier. Two collapsible gates to the southern and eastern entrances were fixed. Even the wooden planks of the first floor verandah that were in dilapidated state were removed and replaced. |