Fast Facts :

Location : Bandel, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Built in the year : 1660 AD.

Built By : Gomez de Soto.

Significance : Oldest Church of West Bengal.

The famous Bandel Church is 1 of the ancient churches in the state of West Bengal. This church was positioned as a commemorative of the (Portuguese settlement) in West Bengal. Constructed in the year 1660, this church is devoted to our lady of the Rosary, (Nossa Senhora di Rozario).

Approximately, in the middle of sixteenth century, Bandel was used as a port by the Portuguese since they were permitted to construct a township in Hooghly. As soon as they started settling down in the area, the Portuguese priest started to entitle the locals and consequently by the year 1598,the population of Catholics outnumbered.

In the year 1579, the Portuguese constructed a huge (port) and a fort on the riverside of Hooghly, and joined the (Augustinian Friars), then the major spiritual body in Goa. The subsequent year, (Captain Pedro Tavares) acquired the emperor's full consent to sermonize the Catholic trust openly, and erect Christian Churches. Therefore, (Bandel Church) was built in the year 1599.

This 1st church was scalded down at the time of firing at (Hooghly) by Moors in the year 1632. A brand church, built by (Gomez de Soto) was constructed over the wrecks in the year 1660. The foundation of the ancient church is still visible on the east gate of this beautiful church.