475-Year-Old Vasai Cathedral Wins Prestigious UNESCO Heritage Award
The community-funded restoration of a 475-year-old cathedral in Vasai has achieved international recognition, receiving the prestigious Award of Merit at the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The announcement was made in Bangkok on Friday, placing the Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Papdy village among distinguished heritage sites across the region.
Historic Stone Structure Restored Through Community Effort
The stone cathedral, originally constructed without cement using traditional mud techniques, had endured centuries of wear and tear before undergoing comprehensive restoration. The project, costing approximately Rs 4.5 crore, was funded primarily through contributions from the local population, demonstrating remarkable community engagement and dedication to preserving cultural heritage.
Conservation architect Ainsley Lewis, who executed the restoration, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. "Working with a community is always a challenge," Lewis told TOI. "This engagement required negotiation with all stakeholders. Every large structural intervention to the tiniest detail had to be explained. We would often back it up with philosophies of conservation. The outcome of this process was truly a fulfilling experience."
UNESCO Recognizes Architectural and Community Significance
The UNESCO citation highlighted multiple aspects of the conservation effort, stating: "The conservation of the Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, a tangible testament to the establishment of Catholicism in Maharashtra, is noteworthy for reviving a sixteenth-century structure that embodies the architectural legacy of Portuguese colonial architecture in India."
The citation specifically praised "the thoughtful restoration of the cathedral's interior" and "the skilled use of traditional craftsmanship, especially in the hand-carved renewal of liturgical elements, successfully reinstated the interior as a living place of worship and communal devotion."
UNESCO also noted that "despite a modest budget, the project was realized through the parish community's sustained engagement and donation network," underscoring the community-driven nature of the achievement.
Comprehensive Restoration Addresses Decades of Damage
The cathedral's former priest, Fr John Furgose, detailed the extensive deterioration that necessitated the restoration. "The Mangalore tiled roof was leaking, and the entire structure including the bell tower was in a state of disrepair," he explained. "The Cathedral is built of stone, using mud, since there were no bricks or cement at the time."
Furgose credited former Archbishop Felix Machado with taking keen interest in restoring the structure, while he himself launched the practical task. The restoration work spanned from 2023 to 2024, addressing years of well-meaning but erroneous repairs that had accumulated over time.
Lewis and his team employed appropriate techniques and materials to restore the roof, facade, corridors, colonnade, and interiors, carefully reversing previous incorrect repairs while preserving the building's historical integrity.
Local Architect Facilitates Award-Winning Collaboration
Parishioner Jerry D'Cunha, himself an architect, played a crucial role in networking with conservation architect Ainsley Lewis to facilitate the project. "We are very happy and proud that the Cathedral has won this recognition," D'Cunha said. "Now hopefully more people will visit Vasai looking to explore this UNESCO award-winning site."
2025 Awards Mark Silver Jubilee with Record Participation
The 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation marked the program's silver jubilee, with a record number of applications received. Ninety entries from sixteen countries were considered by a seven-member international jury, which selected winners based on understanding of place, technical achievement, sustainability, and impact.
While the Vasai cathedral received the Award of Merit, the highest Award of Distinction went to the Iwami Ginzan Library Conservation Project in Oda, Japan, and the Sihang Warehouse Conservation Project in Shanghai, China. The jury also recognized outstanding projects across Malaysia, Nepal, and Vanuatu, highlighting the diverse heritage conservation efforts across the Asia-Pacific region.
The successful restoration of Our Lady of Grace Cathedral stands as a testament to how community engagement, traditional craftsmanship, and careful conservation can preserve architectural heritage for future generations while earning international acclaim.
