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The city of Mumbai has timeless beauty like none other in the country. Being a coastal town is just an added advantage. Ever since the time of British settlement in Mumbai, the cityscape has enhanced with the development of the most iconic buildings and structures.
The churches in Mumbai are quite attractive owing to the well-preserved British influence. Apart from the major attractions like the Gateway of India, Shivaji Terminus, and Haji Ali Dargah, there are majestic buildings and monuments scattered all over the city and some of them are prominent churches. The city that never sleeps has a soft spiritual essence and being a bustling metropolitan, all cultures are embraced as equal.
Top 10 Churches In Mumbai
Even by just taking a stroll along the streets of Mumbai, you will notice one great structure after another. There are many churches that you should consider taking time off to see in the city. All of these churches showcases architecture from the golden days, never failing to inspire awe. The essence of spirituality in these churches simply de-stresses an individual. Here is a list of some of the must-see churches in the city of Mumbai.
- Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Mount – An Iconic Landmark
- Gloria Church – Unconventional Location
- St. Thomas’ Cathedral – Rustic Structure
- St. Andrew’s Church – Old World Charm
- Afghan Church – One Of Its Kind
- St. Michael’s Church – A Hint Of Portuguese
- St. Peter’s Church – An Unusual Calmness
- Wodehouse Church – Vintage Vibes
- St. John The Baptist Church – The One With Open-Air Spaces
- Sacred Heart Church – For All The Large Gatherings
1. Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Mount – An Iconic Landmark
A majestic church and a superior landmark to the cityscape of Mumbai, this church has been in the city since the 17th century. The mighty church sits along one of the main streets and is a point of attraction for the followers and the tourists who visit Mumbai. There are a few churches in Mumbai in the city that can come close to the stunning beauty this one possesses.
The church is made up of two spirals, leading up to a great height and an interior that’s artistic and surreal. The church is popular for holding the Annual Blessed Virgin Mary festival. The inside of the church has a high ceiling with iconic artwork on the roof. With the bright sun shining on top, this is one of the great places to visit in Mumbai in summer to avoid the heat!
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 8:30 pm (Mondays to Saturdays), 6:30 am to 7:30 pm (Sundays)
Built In: 1904 (Rebuilt)
Built By: NA
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2. Gloria Church – Unconventional Location
One of the churches in Mumbai placed unconventionally in the heart of Byculla has been part of the city’s emotions for generations. It has a unique blue exterior and tall towers in the front of the church. The classic colonial architecture of this church set’s it apart from the backdrop it lays in. The interiors are classy and royal. The high entrance doors, the tall statue of Jesus Christ, and the beautiful arch in the front are sure to draw your attention if you are a traveler in the city. The courtyard of this church is also always bubbling with energy. With wide tiled paths, well but hedges and interesting statues all over. The church windows have colorful glass paintings that make the light entering the building dance in many hues.
Opening Hours: 6 am to 6 pm, everyday
Built In: 1913 (Rebuilt)
Built By: DeSouza e Lima family
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3. St. Thomas’ Cathedral – Rustic Structure
A rustic church placed in one of the oldest parts of Mumbai. The church has a subtle Victorian architecture with a bright white exterior. The tall tower in the front has an interesting combination of circular and wide windows, with roof-high wooden double doors. The chapel of the church is glorious with colorful glass windows on the back.
The blue and red class brings a pop to the payer area and draws you close to the spiritual center. This is what makes it one of the popular places to visit in Mumbai. They also have some great marble statues and wall art all around the church that depicts the many stories of the Bible in an attractive way. Founded in the year 1718, this was one of the first Anglican churches that the British Colony in Indian has setup.
Opening Hours: 7 am to 6 pm, everyday
Built In: 1718
Built By: Richard Cobbe
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4. St. Andrew’s Church – Old World Charm
An iconic landmark and one of the oldest churches in Mumbai. The church was built as long back as 1575 and was then further made modified to enhance its beauty in the year 1601. This Portuguese church is located in the heart of the city in Bandra. The church is placed in a backdrop of the ocean and a bustling fish market making it a popular attraction for all travelers to Mumbai.
On the auspicious days like Christmas and Easter, the church is decorated like a piece of art and has a festival that must not be missed. Many citizens of Mumbai have described the mass service and the choir group here as some of the best in the city. This church is so popular to the lifestyle of the people here, the surrounding areas of the church are all in some way interdependent to it.
Opening Hours: 7 am to 9 pm, everyday
Built In: 1575
Built By: Portuguese Jesuits
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5. Afghan Church – One Of Its Kind
One of the other great churches in Mumbai, in the old Mumbai region. Located in the upscale locality of Colaba, the church was built by the British Colonists in India as a tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Afgan war. Thus getting its peculiar name. The church is a part of every tourist walk in the city and is open to all visitors on all days of the week.
The church has a tall pillar with a conical ending in the typical colonial style of architecture. The vintage brown brick walls of the church make it blend with its surroundings but still stands out of the rush. The inside of the church is mesmerizing with a cozy chapple and an ambiently lit prayer area. One can spend many a minute here just sitting around and gathering your thoughts. When its screeching hot outside, it’s among great places to visit in Mumbai in June to spend some time indoors.
Opening Hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Mondays to Saturdays), 7:30 am to 7:30 pm (Sundays)
Built In: 1865
Built By: Sir George Russel Clerk
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6. St. Michael’s Church – A Hint Of Portuguese
Amidst the chaos of Mahim, is this cozy church along the main street. A Portuguese church that was built in the 1500s, has a simple design and a holistic interior. The church is popular for it’s Wednesday mass that has a crowd that spills into the streets. Most of the masses are in English and that has made it a popular adobe for even the non-followers of the faith.
On the inside, the church is as mighty as it gets. With an extremely wide corridor and prayer area, the chapel is breathtaking. There is a statue of St. Michael’s Parish right in the front of the church. Since it is located very close to the train station and the market, it makes it very accessible to the public. If time permits, being a part of the mass here is a must.
Opening Hours: 6:30 am to 11:30 pm, everyday
Built In: 1534
Built By: Antonio do Porto
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7. St. Peter’s Church – An Unusual Calmness
Located in the heart of Pali Hills in Bandra, the church has a quiet look and an unusual calmness. As you walk into the church, you will see grounds for burial on both sides of the walk-way. As it is part of a school, this is one of the churches in Mumbai that also spearheads social work and community development.
The church dates back to the 1840s and was modified further in the years to come. The inside of the church is majestic and beautifully lit. If you have time, attend a service here and be left breathless by the sheer positive energy of the space. It’s rustic stone building structure has not deteriorated even a bit over time.
Opening Hours: NA
Built In: 1853
Built By: Bishop Hartmann
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8. Wodehouse Church – Vintage Vibes
This catholic church is very close to the tourist hub of Nariman Point. The structure is hard to spot from afar as it seamlessly blends in with the vintage backdrop of the old city. The church was built in1950. The ideal time to visit the church is early in the morning. As the warm rays of the morning sen enter the build space lights up with an upbeat positivity.
The roof of the church has an excellent painting that can keep you staring at them for a long time. Being a high roof, with a complicated design, the bring yellow paintings stand out. If you are looking to attend a mass on Christmas eve, then this is one of the churches in Mumbai to consider.
Opening Hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 6 pm
Built In: 1905
Built By: NA
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9. St. John The Baptist Church – The One With Open-Air Spaces
If you are staying in the suburbs of Mumbai, like Thane, then this church is one you must check out. As part of the St. John High school, the church has been maintained with utmost care. Since it is on the premises of a school, the large open spaces, and manicured garden enhance the beauty of the space.
Since the church was built in the 15th century, the design style is very inspired by the time period. The use of gold in the statues and pillars gives it a very unique vibe. Many followers of the church described the energy of the church as infections with spirituality. A few minutes spent in the altar of the church is sure to give your minds a rest from those running thoughts.
Opening Hours: NA
Built In: 1579
Built By: Portuguese Jesuits
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10. Sacred Heart Church – For All The Large Gatherings
This is one of those churches in Mumbai that is a part of the city’s suburban area. This church in particular has a very wide open area at the front of the building that is used for large gatherings one many occasions. The church building has a classic old-school appeal with its subtle design.
The church has been part of the people’s community for many generations and created a sense of family to the followers. The highlight of the church is its friendly mass timing that happens late at night making it easy for people to make time for it.
Opening Hours: 5 am to 8:30 pm, everyday
Built In: 1936
Built By: Fr J H Alvares
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Listed above are some of the best churches that can be found in the city of Mumbai and are fairly counted amongst the most prominent attractions here. Your Mumbai trip will be an experience worth undergoing if you visit most of these churches while exploring the city. After all, these churches in Mumbai truly reflect the spiritual essence of local Christian devotees.
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