By October 1548, Fr Antonio do Porto and his companion Joao de Goa had baptised a number of people and founded a ‘devout hermitage’ at Mount Poinsur.

During the time of Fr Antonio do Porto, the village of Mount Poinsur was granted to the Franciscan by Governor George Cabral in the name of John III, King of Portugal, for the maintenance of their work.

In 1888, through the efforts of the people of Bandra and under the guidance of the Dean of Thane, Fr Joao Braz Fernandes rebuilt the old parish Church and since then it has been functioning.

Over the last two decades till the current year, 2007, the parish has grown into one of Mumbai’s largest with a vibrant involvement in liturgical and community activities.

On the feast day at Mount Poinsur, 8 December, people from all over Mumbai come in large numbers, following a tradition passed down over the centuries that has seen this Church as a centre for pilgrimage.