Perhaps you’ve walked past St. Theresa’s Church without realizing its unique story. The history of St. Theresa’s Church dates back to the mid-1940s. December 19, 1948 is a special day. On that day, people decided to create a compact parish. It was the “de facto” birth of the parish.
No historical survey would be complete without mentioning the monumental departure from Gothic and baroque church architecture. This makes St. Theresa’s Church unique. It incorporates the most modern concepts in building design. The design emphasizes the presence of God. It focuses attention on the main tenets of the Catholic Church.
St. Theresa’s Church stands on St Theresa Marg in Bandra, Mumbai. You can contact the church at 022 26407891 or +91 9004979257. Several priests serve at the church. Fr Henry D’Souza SVD is the Parish Priest. Other clergy include Fr Nicolau D’costa SVD, Fr Shinoy Mathew SVD, Fr Felix Arul Ignatius SVD, Fr Antony Puthumana SVD, Fr Sundar Magimai and Fr Shinoy Mathew who is in residence.
Masses are held on Sundays at 7:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. All these masses are in English. There is also a Hindi mass at 4:00 p.m. Weekday masses are at 6:15 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. All weekday masses are in English. Saturday masses follow the weekday schedule. There is also an additional English mass on Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. This mass is the Sunday Liturgy.
Lonely Planet guides mention St Theresa’s Church. They see it as a landmark for tourists to locate Khotachiwadi. However, the church honors St. Theresa from Avila, Spain. It has been around since 1773. It started as a private chapel. It was dedicated to Saints Joseph and Teresa. In 1912, it was rebuilt. It became a full-fledged parish in 1941. At that time, St Joseph was dropped from the name.
Today, the church features a beautiful wooden altar. It houses the image of the saint. Masses are regularly held. St. Theresa’s Church stands as a testament to faith. It shows architectural innovation. Its history reflects the evolving Catholic community in Bandra. As you leave St. Theresa’s Church, consider its impact. It’s a blend of history, faith, and architectural vision.