The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.78

v1.c28.78

³ From Fr. B. Coutinho to Fr. C. Aquaviva, St. Thome, November 4th, 1606, Ap. C, No. XIII; From the same to the same, same date, Ibid., No. XIV. When I visited the place in January, 1924, as soon as I entered the fort, I noticed through the green trees a small white cross over the facade of a church towering above all the other edifices. I remembered at once the above quoted passage of Coutinho. Then I realized that the aforesaid church was built next to the walls of the Mahal still standing and in the street running from North to South. The coincidence was amazing. I could not however get more information about that church, as there was no priest then at the parish house. I wrote lately to a Catholic Priest of Vellore, Rev. J. Trideau, and I was informed by him that, according to local tradition, there is no recollection of a Catholic Church inside the fort I realized then that the church I had seen must be the Anglican Church, but nevertheless the spot where it is built seems to be the same as that of the ancient church of the Jesuits at Venkata's court. Cf. Penny, The Church in Madras, I, p. 624-9.