Milagres Church

Milagres Church was built in the year 1680 by Vicar Thomas de Castro he was a Theatine Priest of Salsette. It is one of the oldest churches in South Canara. The piece of land to build the church was gifted by Keladi Queen Chennama. The present structure dates from 1911.Some parts of the church is believed to have been destroyed by Tippu Sultan and the stones were used to build the Idgah on Lighthouse Hill. Milagres Church has a great altar and is considered one of the best prayer house in Mangalore. The Church also houses the paintings of St Monica and St Augustine which is a wonderful piece of work is a worth watch.




The 16th century marks an important event in the history of our community, as conversion to Christianity by Portuguese influence waned due to several reasons. The Christians had migrated farther south to Kanara but they were in great spiritual desolation for want of Priests, as many of the Priests had been recalled to Goa when the protection of Portugal was withdrawn.

In 1658, a Carmelite missionary visited the Kanara Christians and reported their sorry plight to Rome. The Holy See lost no time in coming to their aid. It appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas de Castro, a Theatine Priest, Vicar Apostolic of Kanara and Malabar in 1674.
Although he was to have reached in 1674, delays not uncommon in those days prevented his arrival in Mangalore until three years later. On his arrival, feelings the need for a place of worship for the local Catholics, he built the church in 1680.
He died on 16th July 1684 and his grave in the Milagres cemetery may be identified by bronze slab next to the St. Monica Chapel.