The St. Francis Church in Kochi, India is one of the oldest churches built by Europeans in India dating back to 1503. It was originally constructed out of wood and mud by Portuguese Franciscan Friars with permission from the Cochin Raja. Famous explorer Vasco da Gama was buried there after his death in 1524, though his body was later returned to Portugal. The church was rebuilt out of stone in the 1500s and changed hands between the Portuguese, Dutch, and British until becoming affiliated with the Anglican sect in 1804. It is now dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian friar and preacher it was originally named after.

1. D A R G A G H
AJMER SHARIEF

4. DEGS

5. • The St. Francis Church, well-known for its beautiful
architecture and ambience, is believed to be one of the oldest
churches built by the Europeans in India.
History
The church’s history dates back to 1503. It owes its origin to
the Portuguese Franciscan Friars, who reached Kochi along
with Pedro Alvarez Cabral. The church, made of wood and
mud, was situated in the middle of the fort that had been
constructed by the Portuguese with the permission of the
erstwhile Cochin Raja and it was dedicated to St
Bartholomew.

6. ST. FRANCIS CHURCH

7. • The Vasco da Gama connection
The famous explorer Vasco da Gama, the first
Portuguese sailor to reach the shores of Kerala, died in
1524 during his third visit to Kochi. He was buried in this
Church. After 14 years, his body was taken back to
Portugal. His burial spot inside the church is clearly
marked out and has drawn visitors ever since.

8. Alfanso de albuquerque pedro alvares
cabral

9. • They built a fort at kochi with permission
from Raja of kochin
• They built a church with wooden structure
currently called Fort kochi

10. FRANCISCO DE ALMEIDA
• The Portuguese vice Roy was
allowed to reconstruct wooden
building in stone and machinery.
• Wooden church were rebuilt
• Franciscan retained control over
church till Dutch recaptured Kochi
1663.
• In 1795,british captured kochi
From Dutch and allowed to retain
church
• In 1804, Dutch voluntarily handed to
Anglican sect . They changed the
name of the church to St. Francis
church

11. ST. FRANCIS ASSISI

13. • Saint Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di
Bernardone, informally named as Francesco, was an
Italian Roman Catholic friar and preacher. He was a silk
merchant and lived life of wealthy man. Even fought as a
soldier for assisi.
• Born: Assisi, Italy
• Died: October 3, 1226, Assisi, Italy
• Buried: May 25, 1230, Basilica of Saint Francis of
Assisi, Assisi, Italy
• Nicknames: Francesco, St. Francis of Assisi

26. HAZRAT NIZAMUDDIN