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Dating back to the late 16th century, the church is a profound heritage structure predating monuments like the Taj Mahal. Originally St. Anthony’s Friary, it was renamed St. John the Baptist after the Maratha conquest in 1737 to honor the former parish.
The church stands out as possibly the only surviving Portuguese Baroque-style edifice in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Its distinctive features include the exterior’s gabled facade, large arched windows, and the prominent, restored bell tower.
The interiors feature stunning decorative elements, uncovered and restored to their original form. These include lime-plastered walls, ornate coffered ceilings, and wooden carvings, testifying to meticulous 17th-century craftsmanship.
The main altar is a focal point of Baroque grandeur. It is a massive, gilded wooden retable that has survived centuries. It dramatically frames a central tableau, typically depicting the Crucifixion, flanked by intricately twisted Solomonic columns.
The sanctuary area, or chancel, retains elements from the original Franciscan church. It includes the restored side altars and the roof of the sanctuary, elements that were carefully conserved during its major restoration in 2015 by Vikas Dilawari Architects.