Vasai, Maharashtra: For residents of Papdy village in Vasai, the bells of the Our Lady of Grace Cathedral have always meant more than just the call to prayer. They mark baptisms and weddings, feast days and farewells — moments stitched into family memory over generations.
This week, those bells carry a new note of pride. The nearly 475-year-old cathedral has received the Award of Merit at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognising an extraordinary restoration effort led not by corporations or large institutions, but by the community itself.
The cathedral, built during the Portuguese era in the 16th century, stands as one of Vasai’s most enduring landmarks. Its weathered stone walls, arched corridors and modest yet striking facade have watched the town change — from a colonial outpost to a bustling suburban stretch of Mumbai’s extended landscape. Through it all, the church remained constant.
But time had begun to show.
Years of coastal humidity and monsoon rains had left visible cracks along sections of the structure. Parts of the roof had weakened. The bell tower, once sturdy and imposing, needed urgent attention. Parishioners began to worry: if nothing was done, the damage could become irreversible.
What followed was not a dramatic announcement or a sweeping government project. It began quietly — conversations after Mass, community meetings, appeals for support. Families contributed what they could. Former residents sent donations. Fundraisers were organised. Slowly, nearly ₹4.5 crore was raised.
Restoration work began in 2023. Conservation experts were brought in, but local craftsmen played an equally vital role. The approach was careful and deliberate. The aim was not to modernise the cathedral, but to preserve it — to retain its character, its textures, its history. Traditional materials were used. Later additions that had altered the original design were removed. The roof and bell tower were stabilised without compromising their historic form.
Throughout the process, the church never closed its doors completely. Prayers continued. Candles were lit beneath scaffolding. Life went on.
That continuity, heritage experts say, is what makes the restoration special. The cathedral was never treated as a relic to be sealed off and admired from a distance. It remained what it has always been — a living space.
The UNESCO jury recognised precisely this balance: technical excellence paired with deep community involvement. The Award of Merit honours conservation projects across the Asia-Pacific that protect not just buildings, but the cultural and social life surrounding them.
For Vasai, often known for its historic fort and Portuguese-era remnants, the recognition shines a spotlight on another chapter of its past — one that still breathes.
There were no fireworks to celebrate the news. Just quiet smiles, shared messages of congratulations, and perhaps a slightly longer ring of the church bells.
In the end, this is not only a story about stone and mortar. It is about a community that refused to let its history fade — and in doing so, ensured that a 16th-century cathedral will continue to stand at the heart of Vasai for generations to come.
