Lightning struck Goa’s more than 250-year-old Church of St Stephen at St Estevam during a fierce storm on Friday afternoon, damaging the sacristy roof, wall, timber and tiles. No injuries were reported after the strike hit the church, which stands on a hillock.
The lightning pierced the northern roof and wall at the rear of the west-facing church, creating two crevices and small cracks in the wall. Roof tiles and timber were also damaged, while debris was scattered inside the sacristy, the section where priests prepare for Mass.
The damaged roof has been covered temporarily, while restoration of the heavily damaged timber has been identified as the first priority, according to sources. Church authorities have called engineers and other specialists to inspect the structure and assess the repairs required.
The incident occurred amid brisk showers and a storm in the area. The church’s elevated position and structure are among the factors associated with the risk of lightning strikes at religious and heritage buildings, although the report did not specify whether the St Estevam church had a dedicated lightning-protection system.
Goa’s historic churches and monuments have faced similar incidents in the past. In 1776, lightning destroyed the 35-metre-high northern tower of the Se Cathedral at Old Goa. The tower was never reconstructed. Another lightning strike in 2014 caused minor damage.
The damage at St Estevam has renewed attention on the protection of historic religious buildings from extreme weather events. At Old Goa, the Archaeological Survey of India has installed newer lightning-protection technology at most major monuments, replacing an older copper-strip mechanism. The system is intended to reduce the risk of lightning-related damage to the monuments.
The next steps at St Estevam will depend on the engineers’ inspection and the assessment of the damaged timber, roof and masonry. The temporary covering is currently protecting the affected section while the church authorities organise restoration work.
