7 Enchanting Churches in Bandra - Popular Churches Near Bandra

Bandra is one of the most happening places in Mumbai, and is rightly called ‘Queen of the Suburbs’. It one of the unique corners of Mumbai that has both modern dazzling buildings and stores as well as heritage houses and churches. Though Mumbai is home to many age-old churches, a visit to these churches in Bandra is a must, irrespective of whether you are a resident or tourist in Mumbai.

The churches in Bandra date back to the eighteenth and nineteenth century, which gives you a glimpse of the architectural style and craftsmanship of the by-gone era. Some of these churches are imposing while others are modest in design. The stained-glass windows and colourful murals along with the tranquility inside these churches attract visitors and faithful from far and near.

Elegant Churches of the By-gone Era

Here’s a list of some elegant churches in Bandra:

1. Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount

Also known as Mount Mary Church, it is one of the oldest churches in Mumbai. The beautiful stone structure is a sight to behold, and oozes grandeur and serenity. This splendid Roman-Catholic Church is situated on the hillock at Bandra. The church has a semi-gothic structure with buttress and pointed-arched windows and doors. The grand facade is divided into four floors with intricate decorative work. The interiors of the church is lavishly decorated with wooden structures that adds an old-world charm to it. The beautiful murals on the walls of the interiors of the Basilica depict the life story of Mother Mary. The statue of Our Lady attracts tourists and followers to witness the divinity of this shrine.

: Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount Church

: Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount Entrance

: Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount Exterior

: Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount Building

: Basilica of Our Lady of The Mount Main Gate

The Bandra Fair is the annual Feast of Our Lady of The Mount that is held on the 8th of September every year. During Christmas evening, the Basilica is adorned with lights that make it look spectacular on Christmas Eve.

Location: Mt Mary Rd, near Shanti Avedna Sadan, Mount Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Mass Timings: Timings vary on a day to day basis. Here’s the list
Weekdays
6:00 AM (English)
7:15 AM (English)
6:00 PM (Holy Hour – ONLY on First Friday)
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Devotees allowed to visit and pray at the Basilica)
2:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Devotees allowed to visit and pray at the Basilica)
Saturdays
6:00 AM (English)
7:15 AM (English)
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Devotees allowed to visit and pray at the Basilica)
2:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Devotees allowed to visit and pray at the Basilica)
Sundays
6:30 AM (English)
7:30 AM (English)
8:30 AM (English)
9:30 AM (English)
10:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Devotees allowed to visit and pray at the Basilica)
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Prayers for those with special needs at the Basilica)

2. St. Peter’s Church

This church is another treasure on the streets of Bandra that has been a house of worship since 1853. The foundation of the New Church was laid in the year 1938. The magnificent church is constructed in the Roman style. The imposing facade of the church will surely make you awe-struck at first glance. The spacious and huge interiors of the church along with the two stained glass windows will please your eyes. If you visit St.Peter’s Church, spend some time there to experience the tranquility along with some beautiful choruses that praise the Lord through the soulful hymns.

: St Peter’s Church Exterior

: St Peter’s Church Interior

: St Peter’s Church

: St Peter’s Church Prayer Hall

: St Peter’s Church Walkway

Location: Hill Rd, near Balaji Restaurant, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Mass Timings: Here’s the list
Monday to Saturday:
6:00 AM (in English)
7:30 AM (in English)
8:30 AM (in English)
7:15 PM (in English)
6:00 AM (in Konkani)
7:00 AM (in Konkani)
8:00 AM (in Konkani)
9:00 AM (in Konkani)
10:00 AM (in Konkani)
5:00 PM (in Konkani)
On Sunday:
6:00 PM

**Youth Mass is held every third Sunday of the month at 7 PM, as announced at the previous Sunday Mass.

3. St. Andrew’s Church

This is another church in Bandra that was built in the sixteenth century, in a time when Christianity had just stepped into Mumbai. This is an iconic church as it was the only church in Mumbai until the mid-seventeenth century. St. Andrew’s is a Roman Catholic Church that has been renovated several times to become the structure that is seen today. The graveyards surrounding the church will catch your attention. The Portuguese styled paintings and the altar attracts the faithful from far and near and reminds them of the teachings of the Bible.

: St. Andrew’s Church Prayer Hall

: St. Andrew’s Church Entrance

: St. Andrew’s Church Interior

: St. Andrew’s Church Main Gate

: St. Andrew’s Church Exterior

Another notable characteristic of this amazing structure of the church is that during the spring and summer Equinox, the sanctuary of the church is illuminated by the rays of the sun.

Location: 115, Hill Rd, Near Holy Family Hospital, Old Rajaram Wadi, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Mass Timings: Here’s the list:
Monday to Friday
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
7:30 PM
On Saturday
7:15 PM
On Sunday
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
6:00 PM

4. Mount Carmel Church

The 125-year-old Mount Carmel Church had a modest beginning. The Jesuit Missionaries constructed a Parish in 1894. The new structure was built in 1981 to meet the demands of the increasing Catholic population in Bandra. The design of this new Roman Catholic Church is modern and different from the earlier churches that were built around here. The minimalistic design in the interiors, well-ventilated space and the large cross along with the crucifix are some unique features of this church.

: Mount Carmel Church

: Mount Carmel Church View

: Mount Carmel Church Building

: Mount Carmel Church Entrance

: Mount Carmel Church Graveyard

Location: 81A, Chapel Rd, General Arunkumar Vaidya Nagar, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Mass Timings: Here’s the list:
Monday to Saturday
6:00 AM
6:45 AM
7:30 AM
7:30 PM
On Sunday
6:00 AM
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:15 AM
10:15 AM
6:00 PM

5. St. Stephen’s Church

This modest cottage-sized church is surrounded by greenery and serenity. The glass windows have Biblical paintings that allow the soft rays of the sun to illuminate the interiors of the church during the day; it is indeed an eye-catching sight. The simple interiors of the church along with the well-maintained cemetery gives a beautiful ambience to this more than 165-year-old quaint church.

: St. Stephens Church Exterior

: St. Stephens Church Interior

: St. Stephens Church Walkway

: St. Stephens Church

Location: Mt Mary Rd, Mt Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

**Mass Timings vary on day to day basis, Kindly contact the church to attend mass prayers.

6. St. Anne’s Church

St. Annes is a 160-year-old church that has been transformed many times to get into its present shape. The humble St. Annes Chapel was raised to the status of a church in 1943. The colourful stained-glass, murals and the grand chandeliers add a charismatic look to the simple interiors. This quaint and minimalistic design makes it a unique church to visit.

: St Anne’s Church Entrance

: St Anne’s Church Interior

: St Anne’s Church Prayer Hall

: St Anne’s Church Exterior

: St Anne’s Church Lawn

: St Anne’s Church Stone

Location: Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West, Mumbai.
Timings: It varies. Here’s the list:
Monday to Saturday
6:30 AM
7:00 PM
On Sunday
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
9:15 AM
6:00 PM

7. St. Theresa’s Church

This grand church with a modern touch in the architectural style is sure to amaze you at first sight. The church has an interesting history since its inception. It was first built as a modest wooden chapel in the year 1949 and the new structure of the church was consecrated on October 2, 1962. The unique design of the church marked the dawn of a new era in the architectural structure of the churches in Mumbai.

: St Theresa Church Interior

: St Theresa Church Entrance

: St Theresa Church Seating

: St Theresa Church Exterior

The 30 feet tall structure of the church beautifully incorporates the symmetry of the coloured glass along with the Mangalore bricks. The soft light entering through the tinted glass builds up an ambience of holiness and peace that is difficult to articulate. You must visit this church to witness the simplicity and the unique architectural style.

Location: St Theresa Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Mass Timings: Here’s the list:
Monday to Friday
6:15 AM (English)
7:00 AM (English)
8:00 AM (English)
7:00 PM (English)
On Saturdays
6:15 AM (English)
7:00 AM (English)
8:00 AM (English)
7:00 PM (English – Sunday Liturgy)
On Sundays
7:00 AM (English)
8:30 AM (English)
10:00 AM (English)
11:00 AM (Malayalam)
4:30 PM (Hindi)
6:00 PM (English)

Tip: Please contact the churches or visit their website to know the mass timings as they are subject to change based on the weather, crowd or other reasons.

What are these Ancient Churches at Bandra famous for?

The above-mentioned churches in Bandra are famous for their unique architectural style, serenity and holiness. People from in and around the county visit these ancient yet glorious churches as these are among the famous tourist spots in Mumbai.

When is the best time of the year to visit these ancient churches at Bandra?

The best time to visit the churches in Bandra is during the Christmas and New Year when the churches are adorned with beautiful lights and candles so as to give it a mesmerizing look. Although, these historic churches look charismatic throughout the day, visit them in the late afternoon or morning to experience the sanctity of the shrines.

What are other nearby attractions to these ancient churches at Bandra?

Bandra is one place that most tourists visit in their first visit to Mumbai. There are many things to do in and around Bandra. From being home to Bollywood’s famous stars to the scenic Bandstand, Bandra has something for everyone. To help you get the real essence of Bandra we recommend you to visit these attractive places.

What are the nearby restaurants and cafes to these ancient churches at Bandra?

Bandra is a magical place that beautifully juxtaposes the old-world charm along with the new stellar buildings. After walking through the colourful streets and seeing some beautiful architectural marvels you would want to please your stomach will some scrumptious meal from any of these best restaurants in Bandra.

Conclusion

A visit to these churches will remind you of India’s rich culture that has always opened its arms to accept people from all parts of the world and allowed them to share their tradition. The blend of the Western world along with the Indian culture can easily be witnessed in Bandra by visiting these iconic churches.

If you know any other churches in Bandra that are iconic and have not been included in the above list, then do let us know by commenting below. Moreover, if you have visited any of the above churches, then please share with us your experience and feedback.

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Chhavi

Chhavi is a passionate food enthusiast, avid traveler, and dedicated reviewer. Her journey into the world of food, reviews, and travel began with a deep-rooted curiosity and a love for exploration. Her passion extends beyond just eating, she is also dedicated to sharing her experiences and insights through thoughtful reviews and recommendations. Through her writings, she hopes to inspire others to embark on their own culinary and travel journeys, exploring new flavors, cultures, and experiences along the way.

7 Famous Ancient Churches in Bandra You Should Visit