A small chapel, a refuge for local Catholics amidst the marshy fields and salt pans, is where the story of Our Lady of Dolours Church begins. This wasn’t just any chapel, it was a beacon of hope, a place of solace, dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Dores, Our Lady of Dolours. We’re standing right in front of the church, and it’s hard to imagine the Wadala Village was once a wilderness, but the church itself reminds us that faith can indeed bloom even in the most unlikely of places.
The chapel was built in 1853 by Father J. Braz Fernandes, the Vicar of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar. It catered to the needs of Catholics across Wadala, Govari, Naigaum, Matunga, Antop Hill, Dadar, Sewri, Customs and BPT Quarters, which goes to show how important this small chapel was to the community.
In 1936, this tiny chapel was replaced by a church, whose cornerstone was laid on November 1st. The church was finally blessed on October 17th, 1937, by Msgr. Charles Ghezzi, the Administrator Apostolic of the Archdiocese of Bombay. The very first Mass in this newly built church was offered by him, celebrated with a congregation of priests.
On March 12th, 1941, the parish of Our Lady of Dolours, Wadala, was formally established. The first parish priest was Father Augusto Fernandes. In 1948, the parish was entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco, who had just set up their premises near Kings Circle. That year, the school, St. Joseph’s, was also built. It was the first parish in the Archdiocese run by them.
The church and the school brought together a diverse community. Many of the original inhabitants of Wadala and Gowari Villages were Bombay East Indians. Others came from Goa and Mangalore. The Salesians built a strong presence for Catholics in the area. Today, Our Lady of Dolours Church stands as a testament to the deep devotion and the community spirit that has flourished under this roof for almost two centuries.