tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post3642130874347581573..comments2023-05-08T04:06:30.276-07:00Comments on Notes of an Itinerant Mendicant: The Architecture of Perfection: A tribute to Manohar Malgonkar, Narva Saptakoteshwar and Quepem ChurchJason Keith Fernandeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747657801280747019noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5561829398685858313.post-28008022823752275872010-07-11T06:49:14.518-07:002010-07-11T06:49:14.518-07:00Mogall Jason,
Greetings from Kepem!
It was wi...Mogall Jason,<br /> <br />Greetings from Kepem!<br /> <br /><br />It was with much interest that I read your interesting article, The Architecture of Perfection on GT yesterday which partly pays glowing tributes to our church in Quepem.<br /><br /> <br />Save a few of us, not many realize that our church is ‘one of Goa’s finest undiscovered and uncelebrated treasures’ as you rightly said. The reality here in Quepem is different. The flock has increased manifold since the church was built a 180 plus years ago. Their demand for more seating space is genuine and the longer we delay the situation, the more worse it gets as time passes by.<br /><br />Indirectly you are suggesting that a new church be built and this gem of a jewel be left alone. Jason, don’t you think that once left to itself, this church will fall to neglect and finally to ruin? Maybe we will not live that long to see its fall but Dale surely will. Goa is full of such examples.<br /><br />Secondly, given the limited space available, a new church next to the old one would only stick out like a sore thumb. Sorry for using your words. Those of us who have seen how new churches are coming up in Goa do not want Aquem to be repeated here in Kepem!<br /><br />If you are in favour of a new church next door, then I have nothing more to say. But if you think that this is not the solution, then you must suggest alternatives.<br /><br />In the meantime, I request you to have a rethink on Ivor’s plan which does not in any way even touch the Body of the church. The windows, the snug altars…they remain untouched. Even after the creation of the wings, from the main entrance the church will look just like it was before. I may not be an architect but I am an artist and this much I can say: the wings will not only complement the existing church but to a great extent solve the pressing needs of the parishioners.<br /><br />In my humble opinion, a new, massive church (which as per some parishioners should accommodate 2000!) will not only be a monster but an architectural disaster as well.<br /><br />A small price has to be paid…the ‘middle path’ is what I suggest.<br /><br />mog asum di,<br /><br />walterWalter Menezesnoreply@blogger.com