Decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, attending the midnight mass, listening to carols, munching on cookies and sipping on mulled wine while watching holiday-theme movies – our favourite season is back again!
With excitement high in the air, the city is now preparing for Christmas 2023. So here are 7 churches in Mumbai to visit on Christmas day, for a dose of festive magic!
Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Mount
The majestic landmark of Bandra overlooking the sea from the hill, also famous as Mount Mary Church, is THE place where you can celebrate Christmas. This beautiful church is also known for hosting the annual festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary. So plod here with friends on the eve of Christmas or for the Midnight Mass and sing hymns late into the night!
Where: Mount Mary Road, Bandra West
St. Andrew’s Church
St. Andrew’s Church is a Portuguese chapel and is one of the oldest landmarks found in Bandra. It was first constructed in 1575 and went under revocation in 1601 to enhance its splendour. The chapel is falls beside the sea and a busy fish market, making it a well-liked sight for tourists visiting Mumbai.
Where: 115, Hill Rd, Old Rajaram Wadi, Bandra West
St. Michael’s Church
Built in 1534, St. Michael’s is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Mumbai and is popular for the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena on Wednesdays. It is particularly frequented by worshipers all year round and on Christmas, the rituals performed in Hindi, English and Konkani. For more details click here.
Where: Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim West, Mahim
St. Peter’s Church
In the centre of Pali Hill in Bandra, St. Peter’s Church has been designed in the Romanesque style and houses a life-size marble statue of Christ bearing the inscription – I am the Resurrection and the Life. As it is a part of a school, this 160-year-old parish leads in social work and community development too. It is a must-visit around Christmas for its festive decorations!
Where: Hill Road, Ranwar, Bandra West
Gloria Church
This beautiful, tall, Gothic-style church was inspired by the Canterbury Cathedral of England. Gloria Church is as magical as it gets on Christmas Eve. At least 1,000 people from adjoining areas join in for the midnight Christmas mass, irrespective of faith. And it is a spectacle to behold!
Where: Sant Savata Mali Marg, Byculla East
St. John The Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist in Marol is one of the few simpler churches in Mumbai to have the “Late Baroque”-style altar, with nearly 7,000 parishioners attending every Christmas Eve. Built in the Portuguese style, this church houses a big Christmas tree and organises the midnight mass on Christmas eve, annually.
Where: Marol Church Road, Bori Colony, Marol, Andheri East
