Whispers of faith echo through time. This is St Anthony’s Church in Sion. Its story begins in 1596. Portuguese Franciscans built it then. They called it Nossa Senhora de Bom Concelho. This translates to Our Lady of Good Counsel. It’s one of Bombay’s oldest churches. Initially affiliated with St Michael’s Church in Mahim it stood amidst a landscape dramatically different from today’s.
Imagine the seven islands of Bombay. They were mostly marshland. The sea flowed between them. The Kolis and Bhandaris lived there. These were farmers fishermen gardeners. Only after establishing themselves in Bassein and Salsette did the Franciscans venture onto Bombay Island. They built several churches and chapels including this one at Sion.
The stained-glass windows tell a story. They depict the martyrdom of Blessed Thomas of Tolentino and others in Thane in 1321. This is a detail easily missed. The artistic detail is remarkable. The vivid colors capture a moment in history.
Later conflict arose. The Portuguese Franciscans were expelled from Bombay. Years passed. Then in 1925 the Franciscans returned. They chose Sion for a friary. Archbishop Roberts offered three locations. Byculla and Chembur were rejected. Sion was chosen. The chapel became an independent parish. It was entrusted to the Franciscans.
The parish grew. By 1957 it had about a thousand parishioners. One priest handled everything. Other friars preached missions and gave retreats. The school expanded too. Another story was added to the building in 1957. This reflects the church’s continuous growth and adaptation over the centuries.
This is St Anthony’s Church. Its history spans centuries. It reflects the changing landscape of Mumbai. It has endured conflict and growth. It continues to be a place of faith hope and community. It is a living testament to faith. A beautiful story unfolds. A story of perseverance. The story of St Anthony’s Church in Sion.