St Estevam

St Estevam is an Island in Ilhas, Goa, India. St Estevam is known also 'Juvem' and in the past was known as 'Shakecho Juvo' - the isle of vegetables - known for its long, seven-ridged, light green ladyfingers. Therefore the people of Juvem came to be nicknamed 'bhende'.Conversion to Christianity was started by the Portuguese in the 1550s. The island is named after the Lusonised St. Steven.ChurchesSt. Estevam ChurchThe St. Stephen's Church is also known as St. Estevam Church, which is on top of a hillock. The present church was not the first church on the island. The Jesuits first built a church here in 1575, which was destroyed due to fire on 25 November 1683 by Sambhaji Raja Bhonsle during the Maratha campaign against Goa. The villagers of Santo Estevam soon rebuilt their church. However, Maratha forces burned it down again in 1739. The present edifice was erected in 1759.St. Stephen's Church was one of the largest churches to be built in Goa. Its exterior resembles a false dome surrounded by twin towers with lanterns. The church is built in Corinthian style with a nave ceilings decorated with floral graffiti, side altars and pulpit. The main altar of the church is dedicated to St. Stevens. The statue of St Steven's stands below a four pillared canopy.The church contains seven side chapels. One altar is dedicated to Our Lady of Remedios, another to the Crucified Christ. An altar is dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Boas Venturas, which once served the nearby church of Tolto. The statue of St. Dominic in the Church is believed to have been brought from the convent of St. Dominic in Old Goa.